Military Despatches Vol 31 January 2020

Tank Killers The most powerful anti-tank weapons It’s a traditional thing Some strange US Military traditions The Lanceros Colombia’s Special Forces

Castle Itter One of the strangest battles of World War II

For the military enthusiast CONTENTS January 2020

Page 10 Click on any video below to view Colombia’s How much do you know about movie theme Special Forces songs? Take our quiz and find out.

Hipe’s Wouter de The old South African Goede interviews former Defence Force used 28’s gang boss David a mixture of English, Williams. Afrikaans, slang and techno-speak that few outside the military could hope to under- stand. Some of the terms Features 24 were humorous, some The Mongol Warriors were clever, while others 6 The Mongol military tactics were downright crude. Strange US military traditions and organization enabled the Throughout history the military Mongol Empire to conquer has been renown for tradition. nearly all of continental Asia, Part of Hipe’s “On the Some of these traditions are of- 18 the Middle East and parts of eastern Europe couch” series, this is an ten seen by outsiders as strange The Highest Honour interview with one of or even bizarre. And the US While most military forces 28 military has some strange tradi- author Herman Charles award medals and decorations, A matter of survival tions of its own. it is the ones awarded for brav- Bosman’s most famous Preparing your kill for eating. characters, Oom Schalk 14 ery that are held in the high- Lourens. Live and Learn est regard. We look at medals A taxi driver was shot Hipe spent time in awarded for valour by a few Some historical ‘facts’ we take 30 dead in an ongoing Hanover Park, an area different countries. plagued with gang for granted may not actually be Ranks war between rival taxi This month we look at the Co- violence, to view first- fact. The well-known Roman 22 organisations. salute is one of these. lombian Armed Forces hand how Project Straight Shooting 16 Ceasefire is dealing with This month we feature the Quiz the situation. A stitch in time Smith & Wesson Model 10 and Hipe TV brings you videos ranging from actuality to humour and every- A stitch removed in time saves the Smith & Wesson Mk 22 17 thing in between. Interviews, mini-documentaries and much more. nine. By Sea Cadet Petty Of- Mod 0 ‘Hush Puppy’. General Knowledge ficer Clayton Cornelius. Some basic general military Check out Hipe TV and remember to like, comment, share and subscribe. knowledge this month. 00 3 CONTENTS Page 68

Editor’s PUBLISHER Sitrep Hipe Media EDITOR Matt Tennyson

PHOTO EDITOR t still doesn’t seem all that And I must confess that a good Regine Lord long ago that we were cele- time was had by all. CONTRIBUTORS brating the new millennium. Now when I look back twenty January in military history I Clayton Cornelius, Raymond And now we’re already two dec- years later I realise that of the six Fletcher, Ryan Murphy, Matt ades into the new millennium. of us, there are only two of us O’Brien, Matt Tennyson. It you sit back and think about still left. Head-to-Head Forged in Battle Book Review it, the end of 1999 was quire a I also recall that during my Military Despatches is pub- 36 54 67 big thing and something that not time spent serving in the mili- lished on-line every month. SAP Special Task Force that many people get to experi- tary I spent more than one Old Strongest military forces M1 Abrams MBT The articles used in Military The South African Police Special ence. Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day This month we take a look at With many innovative features, Despatches are copyrighted Task Force is the Special Opera- 31 January 1999 was the end in the bush. As I’m sure many of AT weapons of the ten strongest the M1 Abrams is rated as one and may not be used without tion element of the South African of the year (no big deal, been our readers did as well. military forces in the world. of the best main battle tanks in prior permission from the edi- Police. They are considered to be there done that), and it was the 2019 has been an interesting the world. tor. amongst the best of such Units in end of a decade (done that a few year not only in South Africa, The views stated in this mag- Famous Figures the world. times as well). But it was also but throughout the world. There azine do not necessary reflect Battlefield the end of a century and, with a have been a number of high 50 the views of Hipe!, the editor, 60 Front Cover few odd exceptions, there were points, but probably even more the staff, or Hipe Media. Chris Ryan not many around that had expe- low points. Battle of Itter Castle Author, television presenter, se- Modern anti-tank weapons can rienced that before. It was also It is said that someone with The World War II battle where Hipe! curity consultant, former Spe- kill or incapacitate almost any the end of a millennium, some- perfect vision has 20/20 vision. US and German troops fought P.O. Box 31216, Tokai, 7966 cial Air Service sergeant, and tank on the battlefield. thing that no living person had And we’re now in 2020, so let’s the German SS. South Africa. member of the famous ‘Bravo ever experienced before. So, home that people start to see Two Zero’ incident, Chris Ryan if you were around back then, things a bit clearer. Not only email has made a name for himself. Gaming consider yourself one of a select here in South Africa, but in the [email protected] few. rest of the world as well. 64 I still remember that a few May I take this opportunity to Back Issues Freeman: Guerilla Warfare journalist mates and I started wish you and your loved ones a To view any back issues of An excellent combination of planning back in 1995 where we peaceful and prosperous 2020 Military Despatches, go to RTS and FPS. were going to see in the new mil- and may you experience blue www.militarydespatches.co.za Movie Review lennium. We eventually came to skies and smooth sailing. or click here. the conclusion that there was Until next time. one place we had to be - Times 66 Square in New York City. And Ultimate Force when the new millennium rolled Action packed British televi- in, that was where six of us were. Matt sion series. 4 5 Top Ten Top Ten something like this. If a troop Ten strange US military traditions produces a coin then anyone that does not have a coin has Throughout history the military has been renown for tradition. Some of these traditions are often to buy a drink for everyone in seen by outsiders as strange or even bizarre. And the US military has some strange traditions of its the bar that does have the same own. coin. If everyone in the bar has a ne of the definitions of Finally, it’s the moment of get unique and personalised call coin, then the person with the tradition is “a specific truth - the day they get to make signs. But there is no guarantee least valuable coin has to buy a Opractice of long stand- their first jump from a plane. that the name will be cool. drink for everyone in the bar. ing.” It’s tradition for qualified Pilots have a tradition of tell- Most cultures, religions and jumpers to fill the trainees side ing stories about the rookie pi- CHALLENGE COIN: A South African Infantry School challenge 5. Moustache contests organisations have traditions, pockets with Hostess Cherry lot, much like a roast. coin. This is available at Bush War Books. Military units are constantly some of which have been Pies. Some of these stories are em- competing with each other. And around for thousands of years. When the trainees jump their barrassing, well most of them cause of all the sweat the troops to pass through two rows of the it should come as no surprise And one of the organisations minds are focused on everything embarrassing, but some of them lost. And a dirty sock, because troops from their platoon. that one of the most macho that is steeped in tradition is the they’ve learnt in training. When are awesome and suited to the what would a grog bowl be Each troop gets to punch them things out there is facial hair. It military. It would take a book the ground approaches they aviator in question. The squad- without one? on their shoulder. By the time often gets quantified into some on its own just to begin describ- concentrate on the landing. ron then votes on a call sign for they reach the end of the lines sort of a challenge. ing some of the traditions of Feet and knees together, el- the rookie. And the call sign 7. Blood wings and blood their arms are usually lame and The problem is that the mil- various military formations. bows tucked in, chin on chest, they select is for life. stripes they will sport two big bruises itary doesn’t allow most forms Saluting, marching, the body turned to make a right or When a civilian gets promot- for the next few days. of facial hair, with the excep- awarding of medals and col- left landing before carrying out 8. The Grog Bowl ed or a student graduates, it is tion of a very thin, very neat ours, these are just some of the a roll. At normal parties it is not un- normally celebrated with a par- 6. Challenge coin duels moustache. traditions associated with the By this stage they’ve totally common to find a punch bowl. ty or a card that everyone in the A challenge coin may be a Moustache contests usually military. forgotten about those cherry It may even be spiked with al- office signs. small coin or medallion, bear- being at the start of a deploy- The British military, for ex- pies in their pockets - until they cohol. But when troops in the US ing an organization’s insignia ment. Usually when the wives ample, has a tradition that on look down and see a nice red Whenever the US military military are awarded their par- or emblem and carried by the and girlfriends have less say in Christmas Day the officers stain on their pants. Welcome throws a party they have a atrooper jump wings, or when organization’s members. Tradi- the matter. There will normal- serve Christmas lunch to their to Airborne. punch bowl to, only it’s in a NCOs get promoted, they’re tionally, they might be given to ly be a time limit, say a month, troops. toilet. And you get bet your last going to spill a few drops of prove membership when chal- and whoever has the best mous- The United States military 9. Actual call signs few bucks that it will have al- blood or even up with a few lenged and to enhance morale. tache at the end of it is declared has many traditions of their In popular culture, call signs cohol in it, plus a whole lot of good bruises. In addition, they are also col- the winner. own, and here are ten of the have really great sounding ti- other things that will make you When a troop is awarded his lected by service members and strangest. tles. Names such as ‘Iceman’, want to gag. jump wings the jump master or law enforcement personnel. 4. The West Point Pillow ‘Maverick’, or ‘Snake’. They’re Depending on the traditions instructor will pin his wings to Modern challenge coins are Battle Royale 10. Paratroopers and cher- always just made up and the of the unit, different people get his chest. There are, however, made in a variety of sizes. The first year students at West ry pies story-tellers have no idea of to add things to the grog bowl. no backing studs on the pins. Historically, challenge coins Point had a very unique way of When troops finish Army how the military really works. They will then explain why The instructor will then punch were presented by unit com- dealing with the stress of a mil- Airborne School they’ve learnt In reality calls signs are usu- what they are adding has signif- the wings hard enough for the manders in recognition of spe- itary academy. everything they need to know ally unit designations followed icance to the unit. pins to penetrate the skin and cial achievement by a member After their first year of train- to safely carry out a static line by a number to signify who You can expect such classic draw some blood. That’s why of the unit. They are also ex- ing, students would gather in jump from an aircraft. they are in said unit. So the ingredients such as hot sauce they’re known as ‘blood wings’. changed in recognition of visits the summer for a war game They’ve been taught exit commander of Alpha Company because the unit spent time in When an NCO is promoted to an organization. in the form of a pillow fight. drills, wind conditions, emer- would be Alpha Six and the first the desert. Coffee, because of they have to sew their new rank But things get real when While this may sound fun, the gency drills, and how to land sergeant would be Alpha Seven. the long hours the troops went insignia onto the shoulder of troops take their coins with students would get serious. and roll. It is true, however, that pilots without sleep. A cup of salt be- their uniform. They then have them to the bar. The game goes In 2015 the students donned 6 7 Top Ten kevlar vests and helmets and beat the hell out of each other. More than 30 cadets were sent that year to the hospital with se- rious injuries, despite the strict “no hard objects in the pillow” rule. After that the tradition was banned and since 2015 there have been no more Pillow Bat- tle Royales. 3. Blasting up the lieuten- ant’s patrol cap In technical terms a blasting cap is a detonator used to trig- HERE COMES THE BRIDE: Fellow officers provide an arch- ger off a larger secondary ex- way of swords for the bridge and groom to walk through. The plosion. bride, however, can look forward to a slap on her butt with a Troops in the artillery will sword. take this term literally when welcoming a new platoon lead- to represent the protection they but sailors know it as the Court Bush War Books has probably one of the finest er. will offer the new bride. of Neptune. collections of military titles available. Especially When the platoon goes off for They will serve as either The uninitiated, known as a live fire exercise with a new grooms men or bridesmaids, or ‘slimy pollywogs’, must bow on the South African Border War. lieutenant they will take the of- they will post guards outside before King Neptune, usually ficer’s patrol cap, either will- the chapel. After the ceremony played by the ship’s captain. ingly or by stealing it, and place they will form an archway with They must entertain the king, it over the barrel of an artillery their swords for the couple to his queen, Davy Jones, the roy- Click here visit their website. piece. When the first round goes walk through. al baby, and the king’s dignitar- off it will take the cap with it. Then, whoever is on the end ies. These parts are all played The lieutenant is then sup- on the civilian side, will give by other high-ranking members posed to retrieve the ruined cap the bride a loving slap across of the crew. so that they can remain in uni- her butt with the flat of the The new sailors have to do form for the rest of the exercise sword blade. Not a hard slap, this with a talent show. Regard- No-one knows when this tra- mind you. Just a way to show less of how they perform they dition began, but since it started that she is now part of the mili- are found guilty of being polly- every officer has had to go and tary family. wogs and must answer for their buy a new cap the following crimes. day. 1. The Court of Neptune They are punished by having Whenever a naval vessel to eat a really spicy breakfast 2. The Sword butt tap at crosses the equator new sailors and by having to kiss the royal weddings are initiated into a special club baby’s greasy stomach. At a military wedding the by those that have been there Only then can they have their groom (or bride) will be in full before. slimy pollywogness washed in dress uniform, as will any mili- Officially it’s know as the sea water and finally become tary guests. They carry a sword “Crossing the line ceremony” trusted ‘shellbacks’. “War does not determine who is right - only who is left”

8 9 German U-boat attacks on Co- del Pacífico or Indigenous Rev- School for training in mobile lombian ships. olutionary Armed Forces of the warfare and counterinsurgency Special Forces - Colombia Despite the declaration, Co- Pacific). operations. lombia did not send an army Since 2006 the Colombian Having completed the train- Part Eleven of a series that takes a look at Special Forces units around the world. This overseas, but its navy was ac- military has also been involved ing course, the officers set up an month we look at Colombia. tive in countering U-boat oper- in the Mexican Drug Wars. elite force of paratroopers who ations in the Caribbean. This involvement includes the had the job of finding and elimi- olombia, officially the pendence (1811–1823) the 1941, following the Japanese Colombia was the only Latin training of Mexican policemen nating the guerrilla fighters that Republic of Colom- country has been no stranger to attack on Pearl Harbour, and fi- American country to send mil- as well as soldiers and court of- we terrorizing the country. This Cbia, is a country largely war, including four civil wars nally entered the war on the Al- itary forces to support the UN ficers, as well as gathering in- was a difficult task as Colom- situated in the north of South (1860, 1876, 1895, and 1949). lies’ side on November effort to counter North Korea’s telligence. bia’s terrain is vast and varied, America, with land and territo- In World War II Colom- 26, 1943, after invasion of South Korea on 25 Colombia’s violent history and has many natural obstacles, ries in North America. Colom- bia ceased diplo- a series of June 1950. led to the formation of her spe- such as mountains and jungles bia is bounded on the north by matic relations Colombia has been involved cial forces arm, the Lanceros. to hinder progress. the Caribbean Sea, the north- with the Axis in a conflict since 1964. Known Much of their operations, and The Lanceros quickly be- west by Panama, the south by powers in as the Colombian Conflict, they those of the counter terrorism came adept at fighting in the both Ecuador and Peru, the east Decem- have been fighting FARC (Fuer- unit AFEU, involve combating jungle against the guerrillas, by Venezuela, the southeast by ber zas Armadas Revolucionarias the country’s drug cartels and but could never defeat them Brazil, and the west by the Pa- de Colombia or Revolutionary insurgent factions. – there were just too many. cific. It comprises thirty-two Armed Forces of Colombia), There are essentially three main provinces, with the cap- ELN (Ejército de Liberación Lanceros groups in Colombia – The EPL, ital in Bogotá. Nacional or National Liber- Colombia’s special forces EPN and FARC. These groups Since the Ven- ation Army), EPL (Ejército unit, the Lanceros, was formed have a combined strength of al- ezuelan War Popular de Liberación or in December 1955 during the most 5,500 guerrillas plus some of Inde- Popular Liberation Army), civil war known as La Violen- 15,000 supporters. and IRAFP (Fuerzas Arma- cia. The initial cadre for this The Lancero’s biggest prob- das Revolucionarias Indígenas unit was made up of officers lem is narcotics traffickers. Not from the Colombian Army who only are the drug cartels well volunteered for special forces equipped with modern weap- training. These men were then ons, they are also seen by many sent to the US Army’s Ranger poverty-stricken Colombians

10 11 as good employers. This makes Weapons used by AFEUR ventive strikes and emergency it hard for the Lanceros to ac- The Agrupación de Fuerzas response actions in urban and quire intelligence on the guer- Colombian Special Forces Especiales Antiterroristas Ur- semi-urban areas all across Co- rillas operating within areas banas (AFEUR) was formed on lombia, though details are kept controlled by the drug cartels. 8 April 1985, following a ma- in secret. The locals are also well aware jor terrorist attack on Bogota’s The AFEU is a small unit of what happens to anyone who Palace of Justice in November with around 100 operators who opposes the drug barons. 1985. are drawn from various ele- Fortunately for the Lanceros, Bogota’s main criminal court ments of the armed forces and help is at hand from the British was seized and more than 500 police. The unit is organised SAS and US Special Forces, hostages taken by 30 heavily into six 15-man squads, with who provide both training and M16A2 with M203 armed members of M-19, the AFEUR shoulder patch each squad consisting of two equipment. They also mount 19 April Movement. Within this officers and 13 operators who combined operations against group of hostages were mem- are all under the direct com- the drug cartels. As much of bers of the Council of State and President when he travels, and mand of the Commandante de their product ends up in the Supreme Court as well as ordi- provided protection for Presi- las Fuerzas Armadas. United Kingdom or the United nary Colombian citizens. dent Bill Clinton and President The selection process for the States, it is not just the Colom- Without any warning, ele- George W. Bush when they AFEUR last for seven days, and bian government that wants to M249 Minimi SAW ments of the Colombian Army visited Cartagena in 2000 and those that are accepted for op- stop the drug trade. assaulted the palace and fought 2004, respectively. They also erator training move to Facata- All volunteers for the a fierce gun battle with the ter- provided the second security tiva, near Bogota. Here they in Lanceros are sent to the Es- rorists, killing 20 in the process. ring to President Bush’s visit to in sniping, EOD, fast roping, cuela de Lanceros School for However, there was a high price Bogotá in 2007. heliborne operations and fast a 10-week course that involves HK MP5 to pay for this rescue operation, The full scope of this unit is driving. They also learn hos- marksmanship, martial arts, with more than 50 hostages not known, and the vast majori- tage rescue from aircraft, ships, forced marches and training killed as well as 11 regular sol- ty of its operations are blacklist- buildings, buses and trains. in airborne operations. Candi- diers. In response, the AFEUR ed. Reports from the media and Weapons used include the HK dates are also trained to oper- was formed as a specialist unit official sources state that this MP5 submachine gun, M16A2 ate in mountain environments and tasked with hostage rescue unit has been involved in every assault rifle, M60 light machine and attend a three-week jungle missions and VIP protection. top profile operation against gun, Beretta 92F pistol, and course. They protect the Colombian guerrilla groups, in both pre- Browning HP pistol. Although their primary mis- Glock 17 sion is counterinsurgency, the Lanceros also carry out intel- ligence-gathering operations against the drug cartels and search-and-destroy missions on the well camouflaged cocaine plantations scattered around Remington M870 Colombia. Weapons include the M16A2 rifle with 40 mm M203 grenade launcher, M249 Minimi SAW, HK MP5, Glock 17, Remington M870 shotgun, and Colt Com- mando. Colt Commando

12 13 The origins of the straight arm salute Live and learn... go all the way back Some historical ‘facts’ we take for granted may not actually be fact. The well-known Ro- to 776 BC. It was the man salute is one of these. salute used by ath- letes in the ancient games staged in Olym- n the March 2019 issue of While the Roman Legion did pa. Military Despatches I did use a salute, it was not that of an When Baron Pierre de Ian article titled “Up, two, extended arm facing forward, Coubertin presented the three, down.” with palm down and fingers idea for a modern Olympic The article was about the or- touching. The Roman Legion Games in 1894, the straight arm igins and history of saluting. In saluted with the hand made into salute became the official Olym- the article it was stated that the a fist and raised to the chest pic salute. Due to the salute being so concept of the salute probably with a straight arm. similar to the one used by the Nazis originated with the Roman Le- So where did the idea of the during World War II, it was decided to gion. The following two para- straight arm salute come from, drop the use of the salute. It was used for graphs are taken from the orig- and why was it credited to the the last time by the French team in the open- inal article. Roman Legion? ing ceremony of the 1948 Winter Olympics. We do know that the Roman The idea that the Romans Yet the straight arm salute was used even be- Legion did have a salute. It was used this salute comes from a fore that. In 1892 it was used mostly by American known as saluto romano, a ges- painting by the French artist school children. It was named the “Bellamy Salute” ture in which the arm was fully Jacques-Louis David painted in after Francis Bellamy, the author of the American extended, facing forward, with 1784. Titled ‘Oath of the Ho- Pledge of Allegiance, and was used to accompany palm down and fingers touch- ratii’, it depicts a scene from Roman Legion salute the pledge. ing. a Roman legend about a sev- During the period when it was used with the Pledge It was a gesture to show that enth-century BC dispute be- Roman Legionnaires using this of Allegiance, it was sometimes known as the “flag you were unarmed. A Roman tween two warring cities, Rome salute. Yet nowhere in Roman salute”. Legionnaire would hold his and Alba Longa. literature, murals or paintings After the Italian fascists and Nazi Germans adopt- scutum (shield) in his left hand From then on it became com- of the time does it show them ed a salute which was very similar, it was officially and his gladius (sword) in his mon in paintings to show the ever using this salute. replaced by the hand-over-heart salute when Con- right. gress amended the Flag Code on 22 December 1942. We also know that in 1919 the Italian Fascist Party adopt- ed a military salute that was the same as that used by the Roman Legion (saluto romano). And we also know that from 1935 to 1945 the Nazi salute was used by all civilians and also by the members of the Nazi Party and the Schutzstaffel (SS). Hitler himself admitted that the salute was based on the Italian fascist salute. Yet according to some re- spected historians the Roman Legion never used a salute such as the one that is commonly de- Oath of the Horatii picted. The Bellamy Salute

14 15 A ‘stitchy’ situation Quiz A stitch removed in time saves nine. By Sea Cadet Petty OfficerClayton Cornelius. General Knowledge am a Sea Cadet Petty Of- general knowledge quiz to kick the year off with. Some of these questions are easy, while some ficer at TS (Training Ship) Aare a bit more difficult. How many can you get right? Answers on page 91. I Woltemade in Lakeside. Here I have learned discipline, seamanship, drilling, sailing, 1. During what war did Flor- tangs with bright red tails? leadership and first aid. We ence Nightingale help to 15. Who was the first person 8 train on a Saturday, some week found modern nursing? to be awarded the Honoris ends and camps during school 2. What was unique about the Crux? holidays. We have serious fun Battle of Lepanto in 1571? 16. The Tokagypt is the Egyp- doing this! 3. In the Vietnam War, what tian version of the Russian After Colours at 08h00 took was dropped from aircraft Tokarev TT-33 pistol. What place we changed into Action during Operation Ranch makes the Tokagypt unique? Working Dress (AWD’s) and Hand? 17. What was significant about carried on with our classes, 4. In 1969, which two countries the Battle of Kursk in 1943? however this was not going to fought the “Soccer War”? 18. Which big band leader dis- be a normal Saturday. 5. Who was the only member appeared over the English of a pair of scissors, rubber of the most extraordinary young of the South African Air Channel on 15 December All those qualified in first aid gloves, disinfectant and some men I have met in a long time. were requested to muster in the Force to become Chief of 1944? swabs from the First Aid kit. You have courage ! You are a the SADF? 19. What does the American main hall. The scissors proved too big gentleman and I hope you keep The Western Cape Area Of- 6. Where was the first place nickname GI stand for? and blunt for the task. The Lt spreading positivity.” ever bombed by the South 20. The motto of the South Afri- ficer, Lt Cdr (SAN) Glenn von Cdr produced a pair of nail clip- It meant the world to me to 14 Zeil, usually opens the ship’s African Air Force? can Corps of Signals is ‘Cer- pers and recommended that I hear those kind words coming 7. What was the Rhodesian ta Cito’. What does it mean? library filled with school’s sub- use these as he had removed his from someone who I hold in ject study aids from the Answer home-made equivalent of 21. Who was the commander of own stitches previously with such high regard. napalm known as? the Land Forces on D-Day? Series, DVD’s and books on them. This is called improvisa- He also forwarded a recom- naval, nautical, maritime and 8. By what name are the Rus- 22. What were the code-names tion. mendation for a Good Con- sian Special Forces com- for the five beaches on D- thought provoking subjects. This was ”a stitchy situation”. duct Badge (GCB) to the OC The Lt Cdr has a small mat- monly known as? Day? I put on the gloves, disinfect- (Officer Commanding) Lt Cdr 9. By what name was the Ger- 23. What was the name of the ter which he wanted resolved ed the area and slowly with great (SCC) Pau Jacobs indicating without any fuss. He said “So man Panzerkampfwagen V pilot that dropped the first patience and skill successfully that a fine task was performed. better known as? atomic bomb on Hiroshima? you are the first aiders ? Who removed the 6 very tiny stitches For me his words of encourage- is brave enough to remove the 10. Who wrote the book ‘Bravo 24. During the Vietnam War, from Lt Cdr’s head. There was ment and thanks was reward Two Zero’? who was known as Hanoi stitches in my head ? no discomfort to the “patient” enough. You can just imagine the 11. Which former heavyweight Jane? I was very nervous in the be- The OC did not award me a boxing champion was a 25. What was the name of the shock and temporary horror we ginning , but calmed down and Good Conduct Badge….I was all experienced. We all looked German paratrooper during French underground move- centred myself when Lt Cdr as- recognised and promoted in- World War II? ment that fought against the at each other and since none sured me that he trusted me and stead ! “A stitch (removed) in of the others looked as if they 12. Which South African army Germans in World War II? my abilities completely. time saves nine!” unit was based at Nduku- wanted any part of it, I decided The Lt Cdr congratulated me Thank you to the Lt Cdr and to step up without over-think- duku in Zululand? afterwards and indicated that OC for making opportunities 13. Where did the shortest war 16 ing the challenge. didn’t need to go back to the available to Sea Cadets and al- The Lt Cdr enquired how I on record take place, and doctor. ways being a motivation and how long did in last? was going to perform the task He told me after the proce- encouragement to me so that I and thereafter I went in search 14. What famous American avi- dure, “Cornelius , you are one can reach my full potential. ation group flew P-51 Mus- 16 17 tary personnel for valour. In 2008, Ernst-Reinhard The highest honour Beck, the president of the Ger- While most military forces award medals and decorations, it is the ones awarded for brav- man Reservists Association, ery that are held in the highest regard. We look at medals awarded for valour by a few suggested the re-establishment different countries. of the Iron Cross. However, the historical connotations assigned to the Iron Cross from World he Roman Repub- lenberg of the Selous Scouts. all of the German Air Force. War II provoked criticism from lic adopted an elabo- He had previously been award- Members of the German some groups. rate system of military ed the Silver Cross of Rhodesia Army included Paul von Let- On 13 August 2008 the Bun- T deswehr Cross of Honour for awards that included medals (SCR), the country’s second tow-Vorbeck, Fedor von Bock, called phalerae to be issued to highest award for bravery. and Erwin Rommel. Valour (Ehrenkreuz der Bunde- soldiers and units for a variety The second recipient was During the Napoleonic Wars, swehr für Tapferkeit) was cre- of achievements. Major Grahame Wilson, sec- King Friedrich Wilhelm III ated. Since the inception of the The practice was revived in ond-in-command of the Rhode- of Prussia instituted another GROUND ATTACK ACE: During the war, Hans-Ulrich Rudel medal it has been awarded 28 the Early Modern period, and sian Special Air Service (SAS). award for bravery. It was called was credited with the destruction of 519 tanks, as well as one times. medals began to be worn on the He had previous won the SCR the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz, battleship, one cruiser, 70 landing craft and 150 artillery em- The South African Defence chest as part of standard mili- and the BCR (Bronze Cross of abbreviated EK). placements. He was the only German in World War II to be Force (SADF) medal for brav- tary uniform. Rhodesia), making him Rhode- It was also awarded during awarded the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and ery was the Honoris Crux Dec- Medals may be awarded for sia’s most highly decorated sol- the Franco-Prussian War (EK Diamonds. oration. There were two distinct a number of reasons and these dier. 1870), World War I (EK 1914), versions. The first type, intro- include campaign medals and In 1980 Rhodesia became and World War II (EK 1939). many. A new class of the Iron 883 received the Oak Leaves; duced on 6 April 1952, was medals for long service. Zimbabwe and the Grand Cross The Iron Cross that was award- Cross was also introduced - The 160 both the Oak Leaves and awarded for gallantry in action The medals held in the highest of Valour was superseded by ed during World War II had a Knights Cross. Swords; and 27 with Oak against the enemy in the field. regard are normally those that the Gold Cross of Zimbabwe. swastika in the centre. The Knight’s Cross of the Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. Only five awards were made, have been awarded for bravery, One of Germany’s highest There were two versions of Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Ei- Only one person was award- all to members of the South Af- and most countries will have awards for bravery was the the award: the Iron Cross Sec- sernen Kreuzes, often simply ed the Golden Oak Leaves, rican Air Force, the first in 1973 such an award. Pour le Mérite, also known by ond Class (EKII) and the Iron Ritterkreuz) recognized military Swords, and Diamonds and that and the others in 1975. According to many sources, its nickname ‘The Blue Max’. Cross First Class (EKI). valour or successful leadership. was Oberst Hans-Ulrich Rudel The second type was in- medals issued for bravery origi- The Pour le Mérite was During World War I, ap- The Knight’s Cross was divided of the Luftwaffe. The award troduced on 1 July 1975 and nated in the 1700s. One of these founded in 1740 by King Fred- proximately 218,000 EKIs, into five degrees: ceased at the end of World War there were four classes - Hon- was the Tapferkeitsmedaille or erick II of Prussia. It was named 5,196,000 EKIIs and 13,000 • Knight’s Cross (Ritterkreuz II. oris Crux, Honoris Crux Silver, Medal for Bravery. This was in French, which was the lead- non-combatant EKIIs were des Eisernen Kreuzes) Since World War II, Germany Honoris Crux Gold, and Hono- awarded by Austria-Hungary ing international language and awarded. • Knight’s Cross with Oak has seen its military as a defen- ris Crux Diamond. from 19 July 1789 and contin- the favoured language at Fred- Exact numbers of awards Leaves (mit Eichenlaub) sive force, but during the 1990s The Honoris Crux was award- ued to the end of World War I erick’s court. Both a military are not known, since the Prus- • Knight’s Cross with Oak Germany began playing a big- ed 201 times. The Honoris Crux in 1918. class and civil class of the med- sian military archives were Leaves and Swords (mit ger role with its military with- Silver was awarded 27 times. Numerous awards for bravery al could be awarded. destroyed during World War Eichenlaub und Schwertern) in the European Union. After The Honoris Crux Gold was no longer exist due to a num- The award ceased with the II. The multitude of awards re- • Knight’s Cross with Oak the 11 September 2001 attacks awarded six times. The Honoris ber of reasons. For example the end of the Prussian monarchy duced the status and reputation Leaves, Swords, and Di- on the United States, Germany Crux Diamond was never pre- Grand Cross of Valour (GCV) in November 1918. of the decoration. Among the amonds (mit Eichenlaub, joined International Security sented. was Rhodesia’s highest military The military class of the med- holders of the 1914 Iron Cross Schwertern und Brillanten) Assistance Force (ISAF) in Af- The only Honoris Crux Dia- decoration, awarded for con- al was awarded 5,415 times. 2nd Class and 1st Class was • Knight’s Cross with Golden ghanistan and has continued to mond Class decoration ever to spicuous valour by members of Notable recipients of the med- Adolf Hitler. Oak Leaves, Swords, and deploy Bundeswehr troops to be produced was donated to the the Security Forces in combat. al during World War I includ- During World War II the col- Diamonds (mit Goldenem areas under combat conditions. South African National Muse- The GCV was instituted in ed Manfred von Richthofen our of the Iron Cross ribbon was Eichenlaub, Schwertern und In 2007, the Petitions Com- um of Military History by the 1970 and only two were ever (The Red Baron), Ernst Udet, changed from black and white Brillanten) mittee of the Bundestag made Department of Defence on 21 awarded. The first was in 1978 Oswald Boelcke, Max Immel- to black, red and white as these In total, 7,313 awards of the a recommendation to create a May 2009. to Acting Captain Chris F. Schu- mann, and Hermann Göring - were the colours of Nazi Ger- Knight’s Cross were made. Only decoration to recognize mili- Major Andre Diedericks of 18 19 Special Forces Headquarters Argentina Liberation War in 1971. decoration, known as Laureate War of Attrition, eight for the Republic of China awarded by was awarded the Honorix Crux Cross of Saint Ferdinand (Cruz Yom Kippur War and three oth- the Chairman of the Central Silver on 1 June 1985. In 1976, Brazil Laureada de San Fernando), is ers awarded on other occasions. Military Commission, and is the while a serving as a corporal Spain’s highest military decora- highest military award given to with 1 Reconnaissance Com- tion for gallantry. India Chinese military personnel and mando, he was awarded the It is awarded in recognition civilians of the People’s Libera- Honoris Crux. Argentine Nation to the Hero- of action, either individual or tion Army, People’s Armed Po- Captain Arthur W. Walker ic Valour in Combat Cross (La collective, to protect the nation, lice and public security active of the South African Air Force Nación Argentina Al Heroico its citizens, or the peace and se- troops. won the Honoris Crux Gold, Valor En Combate) is the high- curity of the international com- Established on 12 June 2017 not once, but twice. He was est national military decoration munity in the face of immediate it has been awarded 10 times. awarded the Honoris Crux Gold in Argentina. risk to the bearer. Those eligible on 15 January 1981. Later dur- It is awarded for “acts of he- are current and former members China ing the same year, 29 December roic valour in action in hazard- The Order of Military Merit of the Spanish Armed Forces. 1981, he was awarded a bar to ous circumstances”. (Ordem do Mérito Militar) is Since it was instituted on 1 his HCG. The medal has been awarded an award of the Brazilian Army, January 1812 it has been award- In April 1994 the SADF was a total of 18 times, with the last established on 11 June 1943 by ed 336 times. replaced by the South Afri- award being in 1982 during the President Getúlio Vargas. can National Defence Force Falklands War (Guerra de las The order is presented in five Israel The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) (SANDF). The Honorix Crux Malvinas). grades and recognizes distin- is India’s highest military deco- Decorations were discontinued guished service and exceptional ration, awarded for displaying and replaced with new awards Bangladesh contributions to Brazil by mem- distinguished acts of valour on 27 April 2003. The Hono- bers the Brazilian Army and the during wartime. ris Crux was superseded by the armies of friendly nations. Param Vir Chakra translates Nkwe ya Boronse. The Hono- The grades, in descending as the “Wheel of the Ultimate ris Crux Silver by the Nkwe ya order, are: Grand Cross, Grand Brave”, and the award is grant- Selefera, and the Honoris Crux Officer, Commander, Officer, ed for “most conspicuous brav- Nishan-e-Haider is Paki- Gold by the Nkwe ya Gauta and Knight. ery in the presence of the ene- stan’s highest military gallant- decoration. my”. ry award. “Nishan-e-Haider” Most people know that the Spain As of January 2018, the med- literally means “Emblem of the United Kingdom’s highest al has been awarded 21 times, Lion” in the Urdu language. award for bravery is the Victo- of which 14 were posthumous The Nishan-e-Haider can ria Cross. They also know that and 16 arose from actions in only be awarded to members of the United States highest award Indo-Pakistani conflicts. Of the the Pakistan Armed Forces for is the Medal of Honour. 21 awardees, 20 have been from the highest acts of extraordi- There are in fact three differ- The Medal of Valour (Itur the Indian Army, and one has nary bravery in the face of the ent types of Medal of Honour The Bir Sreshtho (The Most HaGvura) is the highest Israeli been from the Indian Air Force. enemy in air, land or sea. Its ex- - one for the US Army, one for Valiant Hero), is the highest military decoration. clusivity can be gauged by the the US Navy, US Marine Corps military award of Bangladesh. The medal was established in China fact that, since Pakistan’s inde- and US Coast Guard, and one It was awarded to seven free- 1970 by the Knesset in an act pendence in 1947, it has been for the US Air Force. dom fighters who showed ut- of law as a replacement for the awarded only 11 times. In the remainder of this arti- most bravery and died in action Hero of Israel military decora- cle we will look at some lesser for their nation. They are con- tion. known awards from a number sidered martyrs. To this day, 40 medals have of countries. The other three gallantry been awarded: 12 for actions in awards are named, in decreas- the War of Independence (Hero ing order of importance, Bir The Royal and Military Order of Israel recipients automatical- Uttom, Bir Bikrom and Bir Pro- of Saint Ferdinand (Real y Mili- ly awarded the Medal of Val- tik. All of these awards were in- tar Orden de San Fernando), is our), four for the Sinai War, 12 The Order of August First is a troduced immediately after the a Spanish military order whose for the Six-Day War, one for the military decoration of People’s 20 21 Straight Shooting Straight Shooting Straight Shooting Smith & Wesson Mk 22 Mod 0 ‘Hush Puppy’ Every month we will feature two to four modern firearms that are used by the world’s counter-terrorist units. This month we feature the Smith & Wesson Model 10 and the Smith & Wesson Mk 22 Mod 0 ‘Hush Puppy’.

Smith & Wesson Model 10

The Smith & Wesson Mod- el 10, previously known as the Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1899, the Smith & Wesson Military & Police or the Smith & Wesson The Smith & Wesson Model special polycarbonate insert Victory Model, is a revolver of 39 is a semi-automatic pistol that suppresses the sound of worldwide popularity. developed for the United States firing. This insert is good for In production since 1899, Army service pistol trials of about 30 rounds of the special the Model 10 is a six-shot, .38 1954. subsonic Mark 144 ammunition Special, double-action revolv- • Designer: Carl Hellstrom After the Army abandoned or six rounds of standard NATO er with fixed sights. Over its • Designed: 1954 its search for a new pistol, the 9 x 19 mm. long production run it has been was renamed the Model 10. • Manufacturer: Smith & Model 39 went on the civilian The accessory kit Mark 26 available with barrel lengths of The M&P/Model 10 has Wesson market in 1955 and was the first Model 0 is issued for the weap- 51 mm, 76 mm, 100 mm, 130 been available in both blued • Weight unloaded: 737 g of Smith & Wesson’s first gen- on and it contains a new silencer mm, and 150 mm. Barrels of steel finish and nickel finish for • Designer: Smith & Wes- • Weight loaded: 984 g eration semi-automatic pistols. insert with 22 Mark 144 rounds. 64 mm are also known to have most of its production run. The son • Length: 624 mm with sup- A modified version saw limit- The name ‘Hush Puppy’ was been made for special contracts. model has also been offered • Designed: 1899 pressor mounted ed use with Naval Special War- coined from the weapon’s orig- Some 6,000,000 of the type throughout the years with both • Manufacturer: Smith & • Barrel length: 127 mm fare units as the Mk 22 Mod 0. inal use, which was q u i - have been produced over the the round butt and square butt Wesson • Cartridge: 9×19 mm This is presently the standard etly eliminating enemy guard years, making it the most popu- grip patterns. Beginning with • Weight unloaded: 822 g • Action: Semi-automatic issue US Navy suppressed pis- dogs. lar handgun of the 20th century. the Model 10-5 series in the • Weight loaded: 912 g or single shot repeater tol for use by the SEAL teams. After World War II, Smith & late 1960s, the tapered barrel • Length: 188 mm • Rate of fire: 24 rounds per The Mark 22 Model 0 weap- Next month we look at sub- Wesson returned to manufac- and its trademark ‘half moon’ • Barrel length: 51 mm minute on has a longer barrel which is machine guns. turing the M&P series. Along front sight (as shown in the il- • Cartridge: 9 x 29 mm R • Muzzle velocity: 274 m/s threaded to accept the Mark 3 with cosmetic changes and re- lustrations on this page) were • Action: Double action • Type of fire: Semi-auto- Model 0 silencer and a special placement of the frame fitting replaced by a straight bull bar- • Muzzle velocity: 323 m/s matic or single shot re- slide latch for locking the slide grip with the Magna stocks, the rel and a sloped milled ramp • Type of fire: Double ac- peater shut, eliminating mechanical spring-loaded hammer block front sight. Late model Model tion revolver • Feed Eight round remova- noise when the weapon is fired. safety gave way to a cam-actu- 10s are capable of handling any • Feed system: Six round ble box magazine Special plugs and a long hol- ated hammer block that rode in a .38 Special cartridge produced cylinder • Sights: Adjustable, open ster were made so that the Mark channel in the side plate (Smith today up to and including +P+ • Sights: Fixed, non-adjust- iron 22 can be carried underwa- 1968). In 1957, Smith & Wes- rounds. able iron • Sight radius: 13.4 cm ter without damage. Only the son adopted the convention of It is also the most common 9 • Sight radius: 10 cm front plug need be removed and using numeric designations to x 29 mm R chambered police the slide operated to allow the distinguish their various mod- weapon in North America. weapon to be fired. els of handguns, and the M&P The Mark 3 silencer has a 22 23 The Mongol Warriors The Mongol military tactics and organization enabled the Mongol Empire to conquer near- Iron Mace ly all of continental Asia, the Middle East and parts of eastern Europe. This iron mace dates from the period when the Mongols, under Kublai he Mongol warriors who They were organized into Once an enemy had been sof- Khan, overthrew the native ruling dynasty of China and took power. The in- swept through Central tümens (units of 10,000 men) tened up by multiple volleys of tricate decoration suggests that it belonged to a warrior of high status. Asia, Eastern Europe, centred around an imperial arrows, heavier cavalry armed T Various types of short swords and daggers were used by Mongol warriors and China in the 13th century guard. Fighting from horse- with sabres moved in to finish came from a nomadic tradition back, the Mongols were armed off the survivors. for close-quarter combat. These are modern replicas in the style of the 14th that valued mobility and the with composite bows that had a century. ability to strike from a distance. range of up to 200 metres and Mongol Daggers Mongol discipline was fierce a mixture of light arrows for and the army punished unli- greater range and heavier ones censed plundering with death. for penetrative power.

Mongol Daggers

Mongol warriors protected their pre- cious composite bows by carrying them in leather cases, which were slung on their left side while riding. They were de- signed to give the warrior easy access to his bow while on horseback. Mongol Helmet Mongol Armour Made from iron, leather and fur, the warrior’s helmet had a traditional conical shape, trimmed with a padded roll of fur for a snug fit and protection against ex- treme cold. Lamellar, or scale ar- mour, was made from overlapping leather or metal strips. Arrows that penetrated the ar- mour would get caught in the silk layer beneath, making it easier to ex- Quiver tract them. A Mongol quiver was divided Mongol Bow into a number of sections, allow- The composite bows used by the ing the warrior to quickly select Mongols were made up of laminat- different arrows for different pur- ed layers of wood, horn, and sinew, poses: heavy ones for piercing which gave them greater elasticity armour, or light ones for long- Mongol Boots and thus a longer range than a simple range firing. Arrows with scis- wooden bow. These bows had maxi- sor-shaped heads were designed A Mongol warrior generally wore felt boots in both summer and winter. mum strength for minimum length, a to make deep flesh wounds in the The boots provided protection from the bitter cold of the steppes and pre- valuable attribute on horseback. bow arms of their enemies. vented their legs from rubbing against the horse’s back and chafing. 24 25 Gutting A matter of survival - Preparing the kill With the carcase still sus- Over the next few months we will be running a series of articles looking at survival, something pended remove the gut and re- that has always been important for those in the military. This month we look at preparing the cover the offal. Pinch the ab- animal that you have hunted or caught. domen as high as possible and in the pouch of flesh you have raised make a slit big enough to n a survival situation you Bleed the animal by cutting through the windpipe and food take two fingers. cannot afford to be fussy. the jugular vein or carotid ar- from the stomach may come Do not stab into the flesh or INo part of a carcase should tery in the neck. When the ani- up and contaminate the blood you may cut through to inter- be wasted. mal is hanging these will bulge which you are trying to save, nal organs. Insert the fingers Careful preparation will give more clearly and should be easy but if you knife does not have a and use them as a guide for the you the maximum food value to see. sharp point it may be necessary. knife to cut upwards towards and make full use of the parts It is particularly important the anus. you cannot eat. to very thoroughly bleed pigs. Now cut downwards in the Set about it in four stages. If blood remains in the tissues, same way, using the hand to • Bleeding - which is essen- which have high moisture and hold back the gut, which will tial if the meat is to keep, fat content, it will speed deteri- begin to spill outwards. Cut and without which the taste oration of the flesh. down, cutting away from the rolling, cut off the feet of body. hooved animals and place them down as far as the breastbone. is very strong. Let the gut spill out, allow it • Skinning - so that the hide Skinning 5. Cut down the inside of the under it. forelegs. Lay the carcase down a natu- to hang down so that you can or fur can be used for shelter It is easier to skin any animal inspect it. Remove the two kid- and clothing. when the flesh is still warm, as Now ease the skin of the rear ral slope, scoop and impression legs from the flesh. Use the in the ground in which to place neys and the liver. • Gutting - to remove the gut soon as it has been bled. The chest cavity is cov- and recover offal. First remove any scent glands knife as little as possible. Roll a collecting tin or other vessel the skin outwards, the fur inside so that the animal bleeds into it. ered with membrane and eas- • Jointing - to provide suita- which may taint the meat. It is ily missed in small game. Cut ble cuts for cooking. also an idea to remove the tes- itself, and pull it down. Follow the same pattern of Having cleared the back legs, incisions in the hide then skin through the membrane and re- ticles of male animals, as they move heart, lungs and wind- Bleeding can also taint meat. cut around the tail (you should the snimal from one side to the have already cut the genital backbone, spread out the hide pipe. Do not waste blood. It is rich Before attempting to remove Ensure that the anus is clear in vitamins and minerals, in- the hide, cut firmly through the area). As soon as you can get and then roll the animal on to it your hand right down the back to finish skinning the other half. - you should be able to see day- cluding salt, that could other- skin as explained below. light through it (push a hand wise be missed from the survi- 1. Make a ring cut around the of the carcase us your fingers to This helps keep the meat from separate flesh from skin. rubbing on the ground. through with large animals). vor’s diet. rear legs just above the knee. The carcase is now clean. Cattle blood is an important Take care not to cut the se- Now peel the skin from the Skinning small animals part of the diet of many African curing rope. front legs. You will have a sin- Jointing meat herdsmen. 2. Cut around the forelegs in gle piece of hide. As you work Rabbits and smaller animals your thumbs down the neck can be skinned by making a Large animals can be quar- Any animal will bleed better the same place. tered by first splitting down the if hung with the head down. The cut can be made either 3. Cut down the inside of the they become bloody at the point small incision over the stomach where the throat was cut. (be careful not to cut into the backbone and then cutting each Tie ropes around the hock (not behind the ears, stabbing in line rear legs to the crotch, care- side between the tenth and elev- the ankle - it will slip off) and with the ears to pierce the vein fully cutting a circle around A strong twist of the head will organs). separate it. Cut through the re- Insert the thumbs and pull enth rib. hoist it up to a branch or build a on both sides of the head at the the genitals. The hindquarters will contain frame, placing a receptacle be- same time, or lower down in the 4. Extend the cut down the cen- maining tissues. outwards - the skin comes away easily. Free the legs and twist the steaks (rump and fillet) and neath to catch the blood. V of the neck, before the artery tre of the body to the neck. the choicer cuts. The forequar- For a frame you need a strong branches. Unless you have a sti- Do not cut into the stom- Working on your own the head off. Lifting a large animal takes If you have no knife available ter meat is more stringy and structure. Drive the posts into letto type of knife the latter is ach and digestive organs. needs slow cooking to make it the ground and lash them firm- best. Life the skin and insert two considerable effort. If on your to make the first incision, snap own you may have to skin and off the lower part of a leg and tender. ly where they cross to make An alternative is to cut the fingers beneath, set knife The cuts into which a carcase A-frames and then rest the hori- throat from ear to ear. This has between them, sharp edge gut the animal on the ground. use the sharp edge of the break To prevent the carcase from to cut the skin. is divided will differ according zontal bar on top. the disadvantages of cutting outward and draw it slowly to the kind of animal. 26 27 12 16 3 15 6 14 2 1 13 17 18 4 7 5 8 9 10 11 Where the music does the talking Click here to 1. Fillet or Undercut. The the front of the thigh. As for for stews. most tender meat. Only one topside. 12. Neck. Listen Live percent is fillet. Ideal for 6. Silverside. Muscle on the 13. Clod. Ideal for stews. Con- preserving. outside of thighs. Good for tains less tissue than leg. Catch Military Despatches editor Matt Tennyson on the Sunday Breakfast Zone from 2. Sirloin. Next most tender. roasting. Cook slowly. 09h00 to 12h00 every Sunday morning on Zone Radio 88.5 fm. Fat free strips can be cut for 7. Hind flank. Belly, ideal for 14. Chuck and blade. Quite preserving. stews and casseroles. tender but usually cut up as Matt brings you hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s - the hits we love and re- 3. Rump. Ideal for frying, lit- 8. Leg. Tough and sinewy, cut stewing steak. member. And you can WhatsApp your requests through on +27 72 447 8044 tle cooking needed. Can also into cubes and stew. 15. Ribs. Ideal for roasting but be dried into strips. 9. Flank. Muscular extension cook slowly. 4. Topside. Muscle from the of the belly. Ideal for stews. 16. Fore rib. The Voice of the Valley on 88.5 fm top of the leg. Cook slowly, Usually tough so needs long 17. Thick rib. it tends to be tough. Cut into simmering to make tender. 18. Thin rib. cubes for boiling. 10. Brisket. Same as flank. Click on the photograph below to take a virtual tour of Warrior’s Gate 5. Top rump. Muscle from 11. Shin. Foreleg, best cubed and find out more about the Memorable Order of Tin Hats.

From the editor and all at Military Despatches to all our readers and supporters.

Wishing you peace and prosperity for 2020

28 00 Rank Structure - Colombia

Over the next few months we will be running a series of articles looking at the rank structure of various armed forces. This month we look at the Colombian Armed Forces

he Military Forces of Ministry of National Defence, Colombia (Fuerzas Mil- and national conscription also Titares de Colombia) are includes service in the National the unified armed forces of the Police, thus making it a de fac- Republic of Colombia. They to gendarmerie and a branch of consist of the Colombian Army, the military. The President of the Colombian Navy and the Colombia is the military’s com- Colombian Air Force. mander in chief, and helps for- Cabo Segundo Cabo Primero Sargento Segundo The National Police of Co- mulate defence policy through Second Corporal First Corporal Second Sergeant lombia, although technically the Ministry of National De- not part of the military, is con- fence, which is in charge of trolled and administered by the day-to-day operations.

Colombian Army The Colombian Army is territory. the largest of the three service The tables below display the branches of the Military Forc- rank structures and rank insig- es of Colombia, tasked with nias for the Colombian Army defending sovereignty and law personnel. and order across the national NCO’s & Warrant Officer Sargento Vice Primero Sargento Primero Sargento Mayor Sergeant First Class First Sergeant Sergeant Major

Soldado Profesional Dragoneante Cabo Tercero Private Private First Class Third Corporal Sargento Mayor de Comando Sargento Mayor de Comando Conjunto Command Sergeant Major Joint Command Sergeant Major

30 31 Officers Colombian Navy The Colombian Navy (Ar- sive network of rivers inside the mada de la República de Co- country, and a few small land lombia) is the maritime service areas under its direct jurisdic- branch of the Military Forces of tion. Colombia, responsible for se- The tables below display the curity and defence in both the rank structures and rank insig- Atlantic (Caribbean) and Pacif- nias for the Colombian Navy ic seas of Colombia, the exten- personnel. NCO’s & Warrant Officer

Subteniente Teniente Capitán Second Lieutenant Lieutenant Captain

Marinero Segundo Marinero Primero Suboficial Tercero Seaman Recruit Seaman Petty Officer Third Class

Mayor Teniente Coronel Coronel Major Lieutenant Colonel Colonel

Suboficial Segundo Suboficial Primero Suboficial Jefe Petty Officer Second Class Petty Officer First Class Chief Petty Officer

Brigadier General Mayor General General de Ejercito Brigadier General Major General General 32 33 Suboficial Jefe Técnico Suboficial Jefe Técnico Suboficial Jefe Técnico de Co- Capitán de Corbeta Capitán de Fragata Capitán de Navío Chief Technical Petty Officer de Comando mando Conjunto Corvette Captain Frigate Captain Ship-of-the-line Captain Command Chief Technical Joint Command Chief Petty Officer Technical Petty Officer

Officers

Contralmirante Vicealmirante Rear Admiral Vice Admiral

Teniente de Corbeta Teniente de Fragata Teniente de Navío Corvette Lieutenant Frigate Lieutenant Ship-of-the-line Lieutenant

Almirante de Escuadra Almirante Squadron Admiral Admiral

34 35 head to head head to head Spike (ATGM) tems. Military Strength Spike is an Israeli fire-and- forget anti-tank guided missile • Manufacturer: Rafael Ad- In the sixth of a series of articles, we examine the anti-tank weapons used by the ten and anti-personnel missile with vanced Defence Systems strongest current military forces. a tandem-charge HEAT war- • Weight: 5 kg head, currently in its fourth-gen- • Length: 1,200 mm ast month we looked military forces. weapons that each of these eration. • Effective firing range: 1,500 at sniper rifles used by This month we are going forces use. It was developed and de- metres Lthe ten strongest current to take a look at the anti-tank signed by the Israeli company • Sights: 10× optical sight Rafael Advanced Defence Sys-

MILAN 1972. 10. Germany MILAN (French: Missile Total military personnel – 210,305 d’infanterie léger antichar; • Manufacturer: MBDA, English: Light anti-tank infan- MKEK try missile, milan is French for • Weight: 16.4 kg Panzerfaust 3 kite) is a Western European an- • Length: 1.2 metre The Panzerfaust 3 (“armour ti-tank guided missile. Design • Effective firing range: 3,000 fist” or “tank fist”) is a modern of the MILAN started in 1962, metres disposable recoilless anti-tank it was ready for trials in 1971, • Guidance system: SACLOS weapon, which was developed and was accepted for service in wire between 1978 and 1985 and put into service by the Bundeswehr in 1992. bel AG • Maximum firing range: It is the standard infantry AT • Weight: 12.9 kg Hollow 1,100 metres weapon. charge warhead • Sights: UP-7V Telescopic 9. Turkey • Length: 950 mm sight Total military personnel – 891,300 • Manufacturer: Dynamit No- • Calibre: 110 mm warhead MATADOR The MATADOR (Man-porta- The Turkish Land Forces make use of no fewer than 12 different types of anti-tank weapon. ble Anti-Tank, Anti-DOoR) is a 90-millimetre (3.5 in) man-port- M72 LAW able, disposable anti-armour The M72 LAW (Light An- weapon system developed in ti-Tank Weapon) is a portable collaboration between Israel one-shot 66-mm unguided an- and Singapore. bel AG • Sights: Night Vision Device ti-tank weapon. It is an updated version of the • Weight: 8.9 kg on a Picatinny rail The Turkish Army uses a lo- German-Singaporean Armbrust • Length: 1 metre cally built version by Makina design, and operates on the ti-personnel warhead version of • Weight: 2.5 kg • Calibre: 90 mm ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu, same principles. HAR-66 AP and called it “Eşek • Length: 881 mm • Effective firing range: 500 called HAR-66 (Hafif Anti- Arısı” (Wasp). • Calibre: 66 mm metres tank Roketi). Turkey also in- • Manufacturer: Dynamit No- digenously developed an an- • Effective firing range: 200 • Manufacturer: MKEK metres Portable anti-tank weapons first made an appearance during World War II with weapons such as the British Boys Rifle and PIAT, the American M1 Bazooka,the Russian PTRD-41, and the German Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck. 36 37 M40 recoilless rifle nel flechette round. L2A1 ASM The M40 recoilless rifle is • Manufacturer: Watervliet A copy of the MATADOR, a lightweight, portable, crew- Arsenal (Man-portable Anti-Tank, the served 105 mm recoilless rifle • Weight: 209.5 kg L2A1 ASM is a disposable, made in the United States. In- • Length: 3.404 metres man-portable guided anti-struc- tended primarily as an anti-tank • Calibre: 105 mm ture weapon. weapon, it could also be em- • Effective firing range: 1.350 It is designed to destroy hard- ployed in an anti-personnel role metres ened structures, such as bun- bel AG • Effective firing range: 500 with the use of an anti-person- kers, buildings and other fixed • Weight: 8.9 kg metres positions. • Length: 1 metre • Sights: Night Vision Device MILAN 1972. • Calibre: 90 mm on a Picatinny rail MILAN (French: Missile • Manufacturer: Dynamit No- d’infanterie léger antichar; • Manufacturer: MBDA, English: Light anti-tank infan- MKEK try missile, milan is French for • Weight: 16.4 kg kite) is a Western European an- • Length: 1.2 metre ti-tank guided missile. Design • Effective firing range: 3,000 of the MILAN started in 1962, metres FGM-148 Javelin it was ready for trials in 1971, • Guidance system: SACLOS The Javelin is a disposable, and was accepted for service in wire man-portable, short range fire- RPG-7 and-forget anti-tank guided The RPG-7 (Ruchnoy Pro- missile system. It is designed tivotankoviy Granatomyot) is to “knock out any main battle a portable, reusable, unguided, tank in just one shot by striking and Lockheed Martin • Effective firing range: 4,700 shoulder-launched, anti-tank it from above”. • Weight: 22.3 kg metres rocket-propelled grenade • Length: 1.2 metres • Guidance system: Infra-red launcher. • Manufacturer: R a y t h e o n • Calibre: 127 mm homing • Calibre: 40 mm 1PN51/1PN58 night vision • Manufacturer: Bazalt and • Effective firing range: 330 sights; Red dot reflex sight Degtyarev plant metres • Weight: 7 kg • Sights: PGO-7 (2.7×), • Length: 950 mm UP-7V Telescopic sight and

AT4 8. United Kingdom The AT4 is intended to give Total military personnel – 157,500 infantry units a means to destroy or disable armoured vehicles and fortifications, although it MBT LAW is generally ineffective against Man-portable medium range current modern main battle anti-tank missile system and tanks (MBT). The launcher and • Manufacturer: Saab Bofors • Effective firing range: 300 is a short-range fire-and-forget projectile are manufactured Dynamics metres anti-tank missile system. pre-packed and issued as a sin- • Weight: 6.7 kg • Sights: Iron sights, op- It fires a High Explosive Anti gle unit of ammunition, with • Length: 1,020 mm tional night vision unit Tank (HEAT) warhead and is • Manufacturer: Thales Air • Calibre: 150 mm Warhead the launcher discarded after a • Calibre: 84 mm capable of penetrating explo- Defence • Effective firing range: 20 single use. sive-reactive armour. • Weight: 12.5 kg metres to 600 metres • Length: 1,016 mm 38 39 AT-1K Raybolt attack and direct attack modes. 7. Republic of Korea The LIG Nex1 AT-1K Raybolt is a South Korean man-portable • Manufacturer: LIG Nex1 Total military personnel – 3,699,000 third-generation anti-tank guid- • Weight: 20 kg ed missile built by LIG Nex1. • Length: 1.5 metres Panzerfaust 3 It has fire-and-forget capability • Effective firing range: 4,000 using an infrared imaging seek- metres The Panzerfaust 3 (“armour • Guidance system: Fibre-op- fist” or “tank fist”) is a modern er and has a tandem-warhead to defeat explosive reactive tic data communications disposable recoilless anti-tank link weapon, which was developed armour. The Raybolt has a top between 1978 and 1985 and put into service by the Bundeswehr in 1992. bel AG • Maximum firing range: It is the standard infantry AT • Weight: 12.9 kg Hollow 1,100 metres weapon. charge warhead • Sights: UP-7V Telescopic 6. Japan • Length: 950 mm sight Total military personnel – 310,457 • Manufacturer: Dynamit No- • Calibre: 110 mm warhead

Type 01 LMAT was later known shortly as the ATM-5. M72 LAW The Type 01 LMAT (01-shi- ki kei-tai-sensha yūdō-dan) is • Manufacturer: K a w a s a k i The M72 LAW (Light An- a Japanese man-portable fire- Heavy Industries ti-Tank Weapon) is a portable and-forget anti-tank missile. • Weight: 17.5 kg one-shot 66-mm unguided an- Development began in 1993 • Length: 970 mm ti-tank weapon. at Kawasaki Heavy Industries • Calibre: 140 mm The M72 LAW was issued as and was accepted into service • Effective firing range: Four a pre-packaged round of am- original M72 warhead penetrat- in 2001. During development, kilometres munition. Improvements to the ed 200mm of armour, while the • Weight: 2.5 kg • Sights: Thermographic cam- • Length: 881 mm the missile was designated with launcher and differences in the improved M72A2 model boosts the codename XATM-5.[4] It era ammunition were differentiat- this to 300mm • Calibre: 66 mm ed by a single designation. The • Manufacturer: NAMMO • Effective firing range: 200 metres

Type 87 Chu-MAT BGM-71 TOW equipped with infrared cameras The Type 87 Chū-MAT The BGM-71 TOW (“Tube- for night time use. (87-shiki tai-sensha yūdō-dan) launched, Optically tracked, Chū-MAT is a Japanese laser Wire-guided”) is an American • Manufacturer: Raytheon guided anti-tank missile in ser- anti-tank missile. TOW re- • Weight: 6.4 kg vice with the Japanese Ground placed much smaller missiles • Length: 1.6 metres Self-Defence Forces. It had like the SS.10 and ENTAC, • Calibre: 110 mm warhead been created as a front-line Heavy Industries metres offering roughly twice the ef- • Effective firing range: 3.750 replacement for the Type 64 • Weight: 140 kg • Guidance system: Laser fective range, a more pow- metres MAT, pressed into service with • Length: 1 metre guidance erful warhead, and a greatly • Guidance system: Opti- the Type 79 Jyu-MAT. • Calibre: 120 mm improved semi-automatic guid- cally tracked, wire-guided • Effective firing range: 2,000 ance system that could also be • Manufacturer: K a w a s a k i

40 41 Type 79 Jyu-MAT • Manufacturer: K a w a s a k i FGM-148 Javelin The Type 79 Jyu-MAT Heavy Industries The Javelin is a disposable, (79-shiki tai-shūtei tai-sensha • Weight: 27.8 kg man-portable, short range fire- yūdō-dan) is a Japanese SA- • Length: 1.5 metres and-forget anti-tank guided CLOS guided anti-tank missile • Calibre: 120 mm missile system. It is designed that entered service with the • Effective firing range: Not to “knock out any main battle JGSDF in 1984. It was initially known tank in just one shot by striking issued to coastal defence units, • Guidance system: Wire it from above”. • Weight: 22.3 kg metres intended to destroy troop and guided SACLOS • Length: 1.2 metres • Guidance system: Infra-red vehicle landing ships as they • Manufacturer: R a y t h e o n • Calibre: 127 mm homing approached the shoreline. It is and Lockheed Martin • Effective firing range: 4,700 also known as KAM-9.

Type 96 Multi-Purpose Missile System

The Type 96 missile has a from the back of the missile as ERYX large warhead which can de- it flies. ERYX is a short-range porta- • Manufacturer: M B D A , stroy most tanks with a direct ble SACLOS-based wire-guid- MKEK hit from the top, but it can also • Manufacturer: K a w a s a k i ed anti-tank missile (ATGM) • Weight: 13 kg be used in an anti-helicopter Heavy Industries used by several countries. • Length: 0.9 metres role. The missile is guided by • Weight: 60 kg The weapon can also be used • Calibre: 136 mm an operator with an infrared im- • Length: 2 metres against bunkers and pillbox- • Effective firing range: 50 to age monitor in the launch vehi- • Effective firing range: 10 to es. It also has some capability 600 metres cle. 25 kilometres in the anti aircraft role to bring • Guidance system: SACLOS An optical fibre connects the • Guidance system: infrared down low flying helicopters, wire flying missile’s infrared - cam homing based on Optical fi- due to its wire guided system. era and its guidance system. It bre Imaging infrared (IIR) can also be fired vertically and the fibre-optic cable is paid out

5. France Total military personnel – 426,265 Missile Moyenne Portée • Manufacturer: MBDA Missile Moyenne Portée (Me- • Weight: 15 kg dium-Range Missile/MMP) is a • Length: 1.3 metres French man-portable anti-tank • Calibre: 140 mm MILAN 1972. guided missile. • Effective firing range: 5,000 MILAN (French: Missile It was developed by MBDA metres d’infanterie léger antichar; • Manufacturer: MBDA, Missile Systems and is intend- • Guidance system: Infrared English: Light anti-tank infan- MKEK ed as a replacement for their homing, television guidance try missile, milan is French for • Weight: 16.4 kg MILAN, which has been sold kite) is a Western European an- • Length: 1.2 metre worldwide. ti-tank guided missile. Design • Effective firing range: 3,000 of the MILAN started in 1962, metres it was ready for trials in 1971, • Guidance system: SACLOS and was accepted for service in wire

42 43 9K114 Shturm 4. India 9K114 Shturm is a SACLOS radio guided anti-tank missile Total military personnel – 2,598,921 system of the Soviet Union. Its GRAU designation is 9K114. Its NATO reporting name is The Indian Army make use of no fewer than 12 different types of anti-tank weapon. AT-6 Spiral. The missile itself is known as the 9M114 Kokon • Weight: 31.4 kg • Guidance system: Radio (Cocoon). NAG • Length: 1,625 mm command link Semi-auto- • Calibre: 140 mm matic command to line of The Nag missile, also called • Manufacturer: Degtyarev • Effective firing range: 400 sight Prospina for the land attack plant version, is an Indian third gen- to 5,000 metres eration all weather fire-and-for- get, lock-on after launch an- ti-tank guided missile (ATGM) with an operational range of • Manufacturer: Bharat Dy- metres to 20 kilometres 3. China 500m-20km. namics Limited • Guidance system: Imaging Total military personnel – 2,545,000 It will replace majority of An- • Weight: 43 kg infra-red (IIR) mid-course ti-tank missile in Indian Army. • Length: 1.85 metres update millimetric wave ac- • Calibre: 140 mm tive radar homing its nickname, “Queen Bee”. • Effective firing range: 500 PF-98 The Type 98 (PF-98) is a • Manufacturer: Norinco MILAN 1972. 120mm unguided anti-tank rocket system developed by • Weight: 10 kg MILAN (French: Missile Norinco for the People’s Lib- • Length: 1,191 mm d’infanterie léger antichar; • Manufacturer: MBDA, eration Army as a successor to • Effective firing range: 800 English: Light anti-tank infan- MKEK the Type 65 and Type 78 recoil- metres try missile, milan is French for • Weight: 16.4 kg less guns. It is also known by • Sights: optical / 4 × optical kite) is a Western European an- • Length: 1.2 metre ti-tank guided missile. Design • Effective firing range: 3,000 of the MILAN started in 1962, metres it was ready for trials in 1971, • Guidance system: SACLOS and was accepted for service in wire PF-89 The PF-89 or Type 89 is a 9M133 Kornet with the Russian Army in 1998. portable, disposable, unguided, The 9M133 Kornet (Rus- shoulder-launched, anti-tank sian: Корнет; “Cornet”, NATO • Manufacturer: Degtyarev rocket-propelled rocket launch- reporting name AT-14 Sprig- plant er. Developed by Norinco for gan, export designation Ko- • Weight: 63.7 kg People’s Liberation Army, PF- • Length: 1.2 metre 89 was designed to replace the rnet-E) is a modern Russian and defeat light armour and • Length: 900 mm • Effective firing range: 150 obsolete Type 69 RPG, provid- man-portable anti-tank guided bunkers. • Calibre: 80 mm to 10,000 metres ing a man-portable, single-use missile (ATGM) intended for • Effective firing range: 100 • Guidance system: SACLOS assault weapon system that use against main battle tanks. It • Manufacturer: Norinco to 250 metres laser beam riding could used primarily by infan- was first introduced into service • Weight: 3.7 kg • Sights: optical 1x (day sight) try squads in order to engage

44 45 DZJ-08 9M113 Konkurs • Manufacturer: Tula KBP The DZJ-08 is a portable, A development of the 9K111 • Weight: 22.5 kg disposable, unguided, shoul- Fagot with greater firepower, • Length: 1,150 mm der-launched, multi-purpose the 9M113 Konkurs can use • Effective firing range: 70 recoilless smoothbore rifle. the same launchers and is very metres to four kilometres The weapon is designed as a similar visually, distinguishable • Guidance system: Wire- multi-role assault weapon aim- only by a slight bulge towards guided SACLOS ing to provide anti-armour, an- the end of the Konkurs’ missile • Manufacturer: Norinco • Effective firing range: 25 to ti-fortification, anti-personnel tube. Its NATO reporting name • Weight: 7.6 kg 200 metres capability. is AT-5 Spandrel • Length: 971 mm • Sights: optical 1×/3 × day • Calibre: 80 mm sight

Type 69 RPG The Type 69 85mm rocket propelled grenade (RPG), made by Norinco, is a Chinese vari- 9K115-2 Metis-M • Manufacturer: Tula KBP ant of the Soviet RPG-7. First The 9K115-2 Metis-M is a • Weight: 13.8 kg introduced in 1972, the Type Russian anti-tank missile sys- • Length: 980 mm 69 is a common individual an- tem. “9K115-2” is the GRAU • Effective firing range: 1.5 ti-tank weapon in service with designation of the missile sys- kilometres • Length: 950 mm UP-7V Telescopic sight and the PLA. tem. Its NATO reporting name • Guidance system: Wire- • Calibre: 40 mm 1PN51/1PN58 night vision is AT-13 Saxhorn-2. The sys- guided SACLOS • Effective firing range: 330 sights; Red dot reflex sight • Manufacturer: Norinco tem is designed to augment the metres • Weight: 7 kg combat power of company-lev- • Sights: PGO-7 (2.7×), el motorized units.

2. Russia Total military personnel – 3,586,128

9K111 Fagot GRAU designation of the mis- sile. Its NATO reporting name The 9K111 Fagot is a sec- 9M133 Kornet with the Russian Army in 1998. ond-generation tube-launched is AT-4 Spigot. The 9M133 Kornet (Rus- SACLOS wire-guided anti-tank sian: Корнет; “Cornet”, NATO • Manufacturer: Degtyarev missile system of the Soviet • Manufacturer: Tula KBP reporting name AT-14 Sprig- plant Union for use from ground or • Weight: 12.5 kg gan, export designation Ko- • Weight: 63.7 kg vehicle mounts. • Length: 1,100 mm rnet-E) is a modern Russian • Length: 1.2 metre The 9K111 Fagot missile sys- • Effective firing range: 70 to man-portable anti-tank guided • Effective firing range: 150 tem was developed by the Tula 2,500 metres missile (ATGM) intended for to 10,000 metres KBP Design Bureau for Instru- • Guidance system: SACLOS use against main battle tanks. It • Guidance system: SACLOS ment Building. “9M111” is the wire-guided missile was first introduced into service laser beam riding

46 47 FGM-148 Javelin 1. United States The Javelin is a disposable, man-portable, short range fire- Total military personnel – 4,397,128 and-forget anti-tank guided missile system. It is designed to “knock out any main battle AT4 tank in just one shot by striking it from above”. and Lockheed Martin • Effective firing range: 4,700 The AT4 is intended to give • Weight: 22.3 kg metres infantry units a means to destroy • Manufacturer: R a y t h e o n • Length: 1.2 metres • Guidance system: Infra-red or disable armoured vehicles • Calibre: 127 mm homing and fortifications, although it is generally ineffective against current modern main battle tanks (MBT). The launcher and • Manufacturer: Saab Bofors • Effective firing range: 300 projectile are manufactured Dynamics metres pre-packed and issued as a sin- • Weight: 6.7 kg • Sights: Iron sights, op- gle unit of ammunition, with • Length: 1,020 mm tional night vision unit the launcher discarded after a • Calibre: 84 mm single use.

NO CHANCE: An Iraqi T-55 tank destroyed by an American TOW anti-tank missile. Modern an- ti-tank missiles mean that a single soldier can now take on and destroy or at least incapacitate a M72 LAW tank or armoured vehicle. The M72 LAW (Light An- ti-Tank Weapon) is a portable one-shot 66-mm unguided an- ti-tank weapon. In early 1963, the M72 LAW was adopted by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps as their the M20A1 “Super Bazooka” • Length: 881 mm primary individual infantry an- in the U.S. Army. • Calibre: 66 mm ti-tank weapon, replacing the • Effective firing range: 200 M31 HEAT rifle grenade and • Manufacturer: NAMMO metres • Weight: 2.5 kg

BGM-71 TOW equipped with infrared cameras The BGM-71 TOW (“Tube- for night time use. launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided”) is an American • Manufacturer: Raytheon anti-tank missile. TOW re- • Weight: 6.4 kg placed much smaller missiles • Length: 1.6 metres like the SS.10 and ENTAC, • Calibre: 110 mm warhead offering roughly twice the ef- • Effective firing range: 3.750 fective range, a more pow- metres erful warhead, and a greatly • Guidance system: Opti- improved semi-automatic guid- cally tracked, wire-guided ance system that could also be 48 49 Famous figures in military history Famous figures in military history • Sergeant Steven Billy members would walk approx- come into sight. However, the Mitchell, DCM, MM, patrol imately 300 metres, then drop vehicle turned out to be a bull- Chris Ryan MM commander (known by the their Bergens and wait. The dozer, which reversed rapidly Author, television presenter, security consultant, former Special Air Service sergeant, and pseudonym Andy McNab). next four would move up and after seeing the patrol. Realis- member of the famous ‘Bravo Two Zero’ incident, Chris Ryan has made a name for himself. • Sergeant Vincent David drop their Bergens, then the first ing that they had now definitely Phillips, patrol 2IC. four would return for their jerry been compromised, the patrol hile he may not have 22 SAS from the Royal Navy, train his exiled troops in camps • Corporal Colin Armstrong cans of water and bring them withdrew from their position. been a Rommel, Pat- spent eight weeks with the Par- in Thailand and Malaysia.” MM (Chris Ryan). back to the group, followed by Shortly afterwards, as they Wton or Montgomery, achute Regiment before return- In March 2009 Ryan admitted • Lance Corporal Ian Robert the second four doing the same. were exfiltrating (according to Chris Ryan had still made his ing to ‘B’ Squadron. that “when John Pilger, the for- “Dinger” Pring. In this manner, each member of McNab’s account), a fire fight mark in military history. He spent the next seven years eign correspondent, discovered • Trooper Robert Gaspare the patrol covered three times with Iraqi armoured personnel Although Chris Ryan is the carrying out both covert and we were training the Khmer Consiglio, MM (posthu- the distance from the drop off carriers and soldiers began. name that he uses and is best overt operations with the SAS Rouge [we] were sent home mous). to the observation post. Former SAS member and ex- known by, it is actually a pseu- around the world. and I had to return the £10,000 • Trooper Steven John “Legs” Soon after the patrol landed plorer Michael Asher retraced donym and pen-name. His actu- Journalist John Pilger wrote we’d been given for food and Lane, MM (posthumous). on Iraqi soil, Lane discovered the patrol’s footsteps years later al name is Colin Armstrong. in October 2009, “Incredibly, accommodation.” • Trooper Malcolm Graham that they had communication and in 2003 he published his own the Thatcher government had MacGown, BDSc. problems and could not receive book, The Real Bravo Two Zero. Early Life continued to support the defunct Bravo Two Zero • Trooper Mike “Kiwi” Co- messages on the patrol’s radio. In 2001, Asher interviewed Chris Ryan was born in 1961 Pol Pot regime in the United Na- Bravo Two Zero was the burn (pseudonym). McNab later claimed that the the Bedouin family that discov- in Rowlands Gill in County tions and even sent the SAS to call sign of an eight-man Brit- On the night of 22/23 Janu- patrol had been issued incor- ered the patrol. The family stat- Durham., ish Army Special Air Service ary, the patrol were transported rect radio frequencies, however ed the patrol had been spotted After attending Hookergate (SAS) patrol, deployed into into Iraqi airspace by a RAF a 2002 BBC report discovered by the driver of the bulldozer, School, he enrolled in the Brit- Iraq during the First Gulf War Chinook helicopter, along with that there was no error with the not the young shepherd. ish Army at the age of 16. Ry- in January 1991. Bravo Three Zero and their frequencies because the patrol’s According to the family, they an’s cousin was a member of According to Chris Ryan’s ac- Land Rover 110 vehicles. transmissions had been noted in were not sure who the men were the reservist 23 SAS Regiment count, the patrol was given the Unlike Bravo Three Zero, the the SAS daily record log. and followed them a short dis- and invited Ryan to come up task of gathering intelligence, patrol had decided not to take Peter Ratcliffe (The SAS’s tance, eventually firing several and “see what it’s like to be in finding a good lying-up position vehicles. According to McNab’s Regimental Sergeant Major warning shots, whereupon the the army”. (LUP) and setting up an obser- account, the patrol walked 20 at the time of the patrol) lays patrol returned fire and moved Ryan did this nearly every vation post on the Iraqi Main km during the first night to the the blame for the faulty radios away. Asher’s investigation weekend, almost passing selec- Supply Route (MSR) proposed location of the obser- on McNab as the patrol com- into the events, the terrain, and tion several times, but he was between Baghdad vation post. However, both Ry- mander; it was his job to make position of the Iraqi Army did too young to continue and do and North-West- an’s and Coburn’s accounts put sure the patrol’s equipment was not support McNab’s version of ‘test week’. ern Iraq; how- the distance at 2 km. working. events, and excludes an attack When he was old enough, ever, according Eyewitness accounts of In late afternoon of 24 Janu- by Iraqi soldiers and armoured he passed selection into to Andy Mc- Bedouin tribesmen and Asher’s ary, the patrol was discovered personnel carriers. 23 SAS. Shortly after Nab’s account, re-creation support the Ryan/ by a herd of sheep and a young Coburn’s version, Soldier that he began selection the task was Coburn estimate of 2 km. shepherd. Believing themselves Five, partially supports McNab’s for the regular 22 SAS to find and Ryan states the patrol was in- compromised, the patrol de- version of events (specifically Regiment and joined destroy Ira- tentionally dropped only 2 km cided to withdraw, leaving be- the presence of one armoured ‘B’ Squadron as a qi Scud mis- from the observation post be- hind excess equipment. As they personnel carrier) and describes medic. sile launchers cause of heavy pack weights. were preparing to leave, they being fired upon by a 12.7 mm Needing a par- along a 250 km According to both Ryan and heard what they thought to be a DShK heavy machine gun and ent regiment, stretch of the McNab, the weight of their tank approaching their position. numerous Iraqi soldiers. Ryan and a MSR. equipment required the pa- The patrol took up defensive In Ryan’s version, “[Mac- soldier who The patrol trol to “shuttle” the equipment positions, prepared their LAW Gown] also saw an armoured had joined consisted of: to the observation post. Four rockets, and waited for it to car carrying a .50 caliber ma-

50 51 chine gun pull up. Somehow, I During his escape, Ryan suf- Ryan was the titular star of never saw that.” Ryan later es- fered injuries from drinking wa- BBC One’s Hunting Chris Ryan timated that he fired 70 rounds ter contaminated with nuclear in 2003 which later aired on the during the incident. waste. Besides suffering severe Military Channel as ‘Special British standard operating muscle atrophy, he lost a poten- Forces Manhunt’. procedure (SOP) states that in tially fatal 16 kilograms and did In 2004 Ryan produced sev- the case of an emergency or no not return to operational duties. eral programmes titled Terror radio contact, a patrol should Instead, he selected and trained Alert: Could You Survive, in return to their original infiltra- potential recruits, before being each programme he demon- Chris Ryan’s tion point, where a helicopter honourably discharged from strated how to survive disasters Elite World Cops will land briefly every 24 hours. the SAS in 1994. including, flooding, nuclear ter- This plan was complicated by On 29 June 1991 Ryan was rorist attack, mass blackouts, During the series Ryan worked the incorrect location of the awarded the Military Medal “in and plane hijackings. with the following police units. initial landing site; the patrol recognition of gallant and dis- In 2005, Ryan presented a reached the designated emer- tinguished services in the Gulf Sky One show called How Not JUNGLAS, Ryan joins a gency pickup point, but the hel- in 1991” although the award to Die, detailing how to survive special police unit in Colom- icopter never appeared. was not gazetted until 15 De- various life-threatening situa- bia who are trained to operate Ratcliffe later revealed that cember 1998 together with tions, including violent burglary, in the jungle. CALM BEFORE THE STORM: Bravo Two Zero patrol mem- this was due to an illness suf- bers. From left to right: Ryan, Consiglio, MacGown (obscured), the equally belated announce- mugging, and violent attacks. BOPE, short for Batalhão de fered by the pilot while en route, Lane, Coburn (obscured), Mitchell (obscured), Phillips, Pring ment of Andy McNab’s Distin- In 2007 Ryan trained and necessitating his abandoning (obscured). guished Conduct Medal. managed a six-man team to Operações Policiais Especi- his mission on this occasion. represent Team GB at Sure for ais, Rio de Janeiro’s special Because of a malfunctioning darkness. Neither of the two lost their lives. Trooper Rob- Post-military career Men’s Extreme Pamplona Chase weapons and tactics team. emergency radio that allowed resultant groups followed the ert Consiglio MM was killed in Since leaving the SAS, Ryan in Spain during the Running of them only to send messages and standard emergency rendez- action on 27 January. Sergeant has become a successful author. the Bulls and also appeared in an SUNKAR, Kazakh police not receive them, the patrol did vous (ERV) procedure they had Vincent Phillips and Trooper He has written five non-fiction episode of the Derren Brown se- special unit. not realise that while trying to been trained to follow and had Steven Lane MM both died of books, including The One That ries, Mind Control with Derren reach overhead allied jets, they previously followed the night hypothermia - Phillips on 25 Got Away, his story about Bra- Brown, where he booby-trapped BOA, Poland’s Bureau of had in fact been heard by a US before. Instead, both groups January and Lane on 27 January. vo Two Zero. His other non-fic- a course for Brown to follow counter-terrorist operations jet pilot. independently continued north Sergeant Steven Mitchell tion books are Chris Ryan’s SAS whilst blindfolded. (Biuro Operacji Antyterrory- The jet pilots were aware of towards the Syrian border. (Andy McNab), Lance Cor- Fitness Book, Chris Ryan’s Ul- Ryan presented the television stycznych), tasked with oper- the patrol’s problems but were After the separation, Phil- poral Ian Pring, and Troopers timate Survival Guide, Chris series Elite World Cops, also ations that the normal police unable to raise them. Many sor- lips, Ryan and MacGown were Malcolm MacGown and Mike Ryan Fight to Win, Safe: How To broadcast as Armed and Dan- can not handle. ties were flown to the team’s equipped with two M16/M203 Coburn were captured and in- Stay Safe In A Dangerous World. gerous, which aired on Bravo last known position and their assault rifles and a Browning terned as prisoners of war. They He has also written no few- in 2008. MAGAV, Chris joins the expected exfiltration route in an Hi-Power pistol between them, would later be released. er than 57 non-fiction books. In the show, Ryan spends time MAGAV (Israeli Border Po- attempt to locate them and to as well as at least one TACBE, Chris Ryan was the only He was also the military advis- with various law enforcement lice) Elite Counter-Terror Un- hinder attempts by Iraqi troops and the night sight around Ry- member of the patrol that man- er for the video game I.G.I.-2: agencies around the world, giv- dercover Unit called Yamas. trying to capture them. an’s neck. aged to get away. Covert Strike, helping to make ing him an insight to the war on During the night of 24/25 McNab, Pring, Lane, Con- He made SAS history with the game more accurate to re- terrorism and drug trade but from STF, Ryan joins the Special January, while McNab was try- siglio, and Coburn were the “longest escape and evasion al-life military operations, tac- a law enforcement perspective. Task Force of Sri Lanka Po- ing to contact a passing Coa- equipped with their original by an SAS trooper, covering tics, weapons and equipment. Ryan is married with a daugh- lice, in their fight against the lition aircraft using a TACBE weapons (three Minimis and 160 kilometres more than SAS In addition to his writing ter, but his experiences in Iraq Tamil Tigers. communicator, the patrol inad- two M16/M203s between them) trooper Jack Sillito had in the Ryan has contributed to sev- caused him to suffer from post vertently became separated into as well as MacGown’s Minimi Sahara Desert in 1942. eral television series. In 2002 traumatic stress disorder. Fol- GOPES, In Mexico the two groups. (which McNab was carrying, Ryan completed a 300 kilo- Ryan co-created and appeared lowing his consumption of ra- crime rate is so high, most of Whilst the others waited but soon discarded). The larg- metres tab from an observation in ITV’s action series, Ultimate dioactive water during his Bra- the police is army and combat for a response on the TACBE, er group carried at least one point on the Iraqi MSR between Force, playing the role of Blue vo Two Zero escape, he was trained, to survive the rage Phillips, Ryan and MacGown TACBE, and the Magellan GPS. Baghdad and North-Western Troop leader Staff Sergeant warned not to have any children and aggression of the street continued to move through the Three members of the patrol Iraq to the Syrian Border. Johnny Bell in the first series. in the future. gangs. 52 53 Forged in metall 120 mm L/44. Arabia during the Yemeni Civil The resulting design, the The M1 Abrams entered War. MBT-70, incorporated new battle service in 1980 and currently technologies across the board. serves as the main battle tank Background While the design was highly of the United States Army and Through the 1960s the US capable, its weight continued Marine Corps. The export ver- Army and German Army had to grow, as did its budget. By M1 Abrams MBT sion is used by the armies of collaborated on a single design 1969, the unit cost stood at five With innovative features such as a multi-fuel turbine engine, sophisticated Chobham composite Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, that would replace both the times the original estimates. armour, and a computer fire control system, the M1 Abrams is rated as one of the best main bat- Australia, and Iraq. M60 Patton and the Leopard 1. In August 1969 the Senate tle tanks in the world. The Abrams was first used in The overall goal was to have halted funding of the pro- combat in the Persian Gulf War a single new design with im- gram until the Govern- he M1 Abrams is a control system, separate am- and has seen combat in both the proved firepower to handle new ment Accounting third-generation Amer- munition storage in a blow- War in Afghanistan and Iraq Soviet tanks like the T-62, while Office could Tican main battle tank out compartment, and NBC War under U.S. service, while providing improved protection under- designed by Chrysler Defence protection for crew safety. Iraqi Abrams tanks have seen against the T-62’s new 115 mm (now General Dynamics Land Initial models of the action in the war against ISIL smooth-bore gun and especial- Systems). M1 were armed with a li- and have seen use by Saudi ly high explosive anti-tank Conceived for modern ar- censed-produced 105 mm (HEAT) rounds. moured ground warfare and Royal Ordnance L7 gun, now one of the heaviest tanks in while later variants fea- service at nearly 62 metric tons, ture a licensed Rhein- it introduced several innovative features, including a mul- ti-fuel turbine engine, so- phisticated Chobham composite armour, a computer fire

54 55 take an audit of the program. tially sceptical of the need for a very few M1 tanks were hit by As a result of the problems 120 mm gun, at some point the enemy fire. Loader’s Armour with the MBT-70, the U.S. issue was raised that the Sovi- Gun Shield Army introduced the XM803, ets might introduce a tank with Gulf War Abrams M1A2 using some technologies from composite armour. The Abrams remained untest- the MBT-70 but removing In this case, the 120 would ed in combat until the Persian Remote Weapons Station some of the more troublesome give them the performance Gulf War in 1991, during Op- features. needed to defeat such a devel- eration Desert Storm. A total of This succeeded only in pro- opment even without depleted 1,848 M1A1s were deployed to Loader’s Thermal Sight ducing an expensive system uranium. Saudi Arabia to participate in with capabilities similar to the By 1977 the decision had the liberation of Kuwait. The M60. been made to eventually move M1A1 was superior to Iraq’s Congress cancelled the MBT- the new tank to a 120 mm gun. Soviet-era T-55 and T-62 tanks, Tank/Infantry 70 in November and XM803 After head-to-head testing be- as well as T-72 versions import- Telephone December 1971, and redis- tween the Royal Ordnance ed from the Soviet Union and tributed the funds to the XM1 L11A5 and the Rheinmetall Poland. Thermal Sight Abrams named after General Rh-120, the latter was chosen. The T-72s, like most Soviet Googles Creighton Abrams. The turret designs of the two export designs, lacked night vi- Through the period while the prototypes were modified to al- sion systems and then-modern initial prototypes were being low either gun to be fit. rangefinders, though they did built, a debate broke out be- Prototypes were delivered in have some night-fighting tanks tween Germany and US about 1976 by Chrysler Defence and with older active infrared sys- Thermal Sight Abrams Reactive the use of the 105 mm gun. General Motors (GM) armed tems or floodlights. Rear Protecting Unit Components Armour Tiles The Army was planning on with the license-built version A total of 23 M1A1s were slat Armour introducing several new types of the 105 mm Royal Ordnance damaged or destroyed during of ammunition for the 105 that L7. On 12 November 1976, the the war. Of the nine Abrams got in range - a decisive advan- Marine Division (Forward), to during the 2015 Yemeni Civ- would greatly improve its per- Defence Department awarded tanks destroyed, seven were tage in this kind of combat. southern Afghanistan in sup- il War, Saudi Arabian M1A2 formance, notably, the XM-774 a $20 billion development con- destroyed by friendly fire, and port of operations in Helmand MBTs were deployed near the using depleted uranium. These tract to Chrysler. two were purposely destroyed Other conflicts and Kandahar provinces. Saudi Arabian/Yemeni border. rounds would give it the per- As the Abrams entered ser- to prevent capture after being Further combat was seen Between 2010 and 2012 the In August 2016, the U.S. ap- formance needed to defeat any vice in the 1980s, they operat- damaged. during 2003 when U.S. forc- U.S. supplied 140 refurbished proved a deal to sell up to 153 Soviet tank with ease. ed alongside M60A3 within the Some others took minor com- es invaded Iraq and deposed M1A1 Abrams tanks to Iraq. more Abrams tanks to Saudi There was some concern that U.S. military, and with other bat damage, with little effect Ba’athist Iraqi leader Saddam In mid-2014, they saw action Arabia, including 20 “battle depleted uranium would not be NATO tanks in various Cold on their operational readiness. Hussein in the Iraq War’s Oper- when the Islamic State of Iraq damage replacements”, sug- allowed in Germany, perhaps War exercises which usually Very few M1 tanks were hit by ation Iraqi Freedom. and the Levant launched the gesting that some Saudi Arabi- just in peacetime, so improve- in Western Europe, especially enemy fire and none were de- Tanks may have limited util- June 2014 Northern Iraq offen- an Abrams had been destroyed ments to the tungsten cored West Germany. stroyed as a direct result of ene- ity in Afghanistan due to the sive. or severely damaged in combat M735 were also considered. The exercises were aimed my fire, none of which resulted mountainous terrain, although During three months, about in Yemen. Through this same period, at countering Soviet forces. in any fatalities. Canada and Denmark have de- one-third of the Iraqi Army’s there was an ongoing effort to However, by January 1991, the The M1A1 could kill oth- ployed Leopard 1 and 2 MBTs M1 tanks had been damaged Concealment improve NATO logistics by Berlin Wall had fallen and the er tanks at ranges in excess of that have been specially mod- or destroyed by ISIL and some The turret is fitted with two standardizing ammunition to Abrams was deployed in the 2,500 metres. This range was ified to operate in the relative- were captured by opposing six-barreled M250 smoke gre- the maximum possible degree. Middle East. crucial in combat against previ- ly flat and arid conditions of forces. By December 2014, the nade launchers (USMC M1A1s The Germans were moving Adaptations before the Per- ous generation tanks of Soviet south-western Afghanistan. Iraqi Army only had about 40 use an eight-barreled version), ahead with their 120 mm gun on sian Gulf War (Operations De- design in Desert Storm, as the In late 2010, at the request of operational Abrams left. That with one on each side. When the Leopard 2K, and noted that sert Shield and Desert Storm) effective range of the main gun Regional Command Southwest, month, the U.S. Department of deployed, the grenades airburst, the British had also introduced gave the vehicle better firepow- in the Soviet/Iraqi tanks was the U.S. Marine Corps deployed State approved the sale of an- creating a thick smoke that a 120 mm gun of their own in er and NBC (Nuclear, Biolog- less than 2,000 metres. This a small detachment of 14 M1A1 other 175 Abrams to Iraq. blocks both visual and thermal keeping with their long-range ical and Chemical) protection. meant Abrams tanks could hit Abrams tanks from Delta Com- After the start of the Saudi imaging. combat doctrine. Although ini- Vastly superior to Iraqi tanks, Iraqi tanks before the enemy pany, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Arabian intervention in Yemen The engine is also equipped 56 57 with a smoke generator that is This was introduced into the active armour on the sides of gun, designed by Rheinmetall and range to the target - to accu- triggered by the driver. When M1A1 production starting Oc- the tank and slat armour (sim- AG of Germany, manufactured rately fire the main gun. activated, fuel is sprayed into tober 1988. This new armour ilar to that on the Stryker) on under license in the U.S. by These three components M1 Abrams the hot turbine exhaust, creat- increased effective armour par- the rear to protect against rock- Watervliet Arsenal, New York. are determined using a laser ing the thick smoke. ticularly against kinetic energy et-propelled grenades and other The M256A1 is a variant of rangefinder, crosswind sensor, • Designer: Chrysler De- However, due to the change rounds but at the expense of shaped charge warheads. the Rheinmetall 120 mm L/44 a pendulum static cant sensor, fence (now General Dy- from diesel as a primary fuel to adding considerable weight to A Transparent Armour Gun gun carried on the German data concerning performance namics Land Systems) the use of JP-8, this system is the tank, as depleted uranium is Shield and a thermal sight sys- Leopard 2 on all variants up and flight characteristics of each • Manufacturer: L i m a disabled on most Abrams tanks 1.7 times more dense than lead. tem are added to the loader’s to the Leopard 2A5. Leopard specific type of round, tank-spe- Army Tank Plant (since today because of a slightly ele- In 1998, a program was be- top-mounted M240B 7.62 mm 2A6 replaced the L/44 barrel cific boresight alignment data, 1980) vated risk of fire damage to the gun to incorporate improved machine gun, and a Kongsberg with a longer L/55. Due to the ammunition temperature, air • Weight: 54 tonnes engine compartment. turret side armour into the Gruppen Remote Weapon Tur- increased calibre, only 40 or 42 temperature, barometric pres- • Length: Gun forward: M1A2. This was intended to ret carrying a 12.7 mm calibre rounds are able to be stored de- sure, a muzzle reference sys- 9.77 metres; Hull length: Armour offer better protection against machine gun (again similar to pending on if the tank is an A1 tem (MRS) that determines and 7.93 metres Similar to most other main rocket-propelled grenades more that used on the Stryker) is in or A2 model. compensates for barrel drop at • Width: 3.66 metres battle tanks, the M1 Abrams modern than the baseline RPG- place of the tank commander’s The M256A1 fires a variety of the muzzle due to gravitation- • Height: 2.44 metres feature composite armour only 7. These kits were installed on original 12.7 mm calibre ma- rounds. The primary APFSDS al pull and barrel heating due • Crew: 4 (commander/ on the frontal aspect of the hull. about 325 older M1A2 tanks in chine gun mount, wherein the round of the Abrams is the de- to firing or sunlight, and target machine gunner, gunner, However, the Abrams’ turret 2001-2009 and it was also in- commander had to expose him- pleted uranium M829 round, of speed determined by tracking loader, driver) features composite armouring cluded in upgraded tanks. self to fire the weapon manual- which four variants have been rate tachometers in the Gun- • Armour: composite ar- across both the front and the The Abrams may also be fitted ly. designed. ner’s or Commander’s Controls mour sides. with explosive reactive armour An exterior telephone allows Handles. • Main armament: M1: 105 In addition, the side skirts of over the track skirts if needed supporting infantry to commu- Secondary armament All of these factors are com- mm L/52 M68A1 rifled the frontal half of the hull are (such as the Tank Urban Sur- nicate with the tank command- The Abrams tank has three puted into a ballistic solution gun (55 rounds) also made of composite, provid- vival Kit) and slat armour over er. machine guns, with an option- and updated 30 times per sec- • Secondary armament: 1 ing superior ballistic protection the rear of the tank and rear fuel al fourth: A .12.7 mm M2HB ond. The updated solution is × 12.7 mm M2HB heavy against chemical energy muni- cells to protect against ATGMs. Active Protection System machine gun in front of the displayed in the Gunner’s or machine gun with 900 tions such as HEAT rounds. Protection against spalling is In addition to the armour, commander’s hatch, a 7.62 mm Tank Commander’s field of rounds; 2 × 7.62 mm M240 The composition of the provided by a kevlar liner. some USMC Abrams tanks are M240 machine gun in front of view in the form of a reticle in machine guns with 10,400 Abrams’ composite armour equipped with a Softkill Ac- the loader’s hatch on a skate both day and Thermal modes. rounds (1 pintle-mounted, consists of sandwiched plates of Tank Urban Survival Kit tive protection system, the AN/ mount, a second 7.62 mm The ballistic computer ma- 1 coaxial) non-explosive reactive armour The Tank Urban Survival Kit VLQ-6 Missile Countermeas- M240 machine gun in a coaxial nipulates the turret and a com- • Engine: H o n e y w e l l (NERA) between conventional (TUSK) is a series of improve- ure Device (MCD) that can mount (i.e., it points at the same plex arrangement of mirrors so AGT1500C multi-fuel steel plates. ments to the M1 Abrams intend- impede the function of guid- targets as the main gun) to the that all one has to do is keep the turbine engine 1,500 shp The NERA plates feature ed to improve fighting ability in ance systems of some semi-ac- right of the main gun, and a sec- reticle on the target and fire to (1,120 kW) elasticity, allowing them to flex urban environments. tive control line-of-sight (SA- ond coaxial 12.7 mm)M2HB achieve a hit. Proper lead and • Transmission: A l l i s o n and distort upon perforation, Historically, urban and oth- CLOS) wire- and radio guided machine gun can be mounted gun tube elevation are applied DDA X-1100-3B disrupting the penetrating jets er close battlefields have been anti-tank missiles (such as the directly above the main gun in to the turret by the computer, • Suspension: High-hard- of shaped charges and provid- poor places for tanks to fight. Russian 9K114 Shturm) and in- a remote weapons platform as greatly simplifying the job of ness-steel torsion bars ing more material and space for A tank’s front armour is much frared homing missiles. part of the TUSK upgrade kit. the gunner. with rotary shock absorb- a kinetic round to pass through, stronger than that on the sides, The MCD works by emitting ers thus providing increased pro- top, or rear. a massive, condensed infrared Aiming The Abrams series of Main • Ground clearance: 0.48 tection compared to conven- In an urban environment, at- signal to confuse the infrared The Abrams is equipped with Battle Tanks have been tried metres tional steel armour of similar tacks can come from any direc- homing seeker of an anti-tank a ballistic fire-control computer and tested in combat and have • Operational range: Road: weight. tion, and attackers can get close guided missile (ATGM). that uses user and system-sup- earned the right to be regarded 426 km; Cross country: Armour protection was im- enough to reliably hit weak plied data from a variety of as one of the best MBT’s cur- 150–200 km proved by implementing a new points in the tank’s armour or Main armament sources to compute, display, rently available. The have been • Speed: Road 72 km/h special armour incorporating gain sufficient elevation to hit The main armament of and incorporate the three com- forged in battle. (governed); Off-road: 48 depleted uranium and other un- the top armour. the M1A1 and M1A2 is the ponents of a ballistic solution km/h disclosed materials and layouts. Armour upgrades include re- M256A1 120 mm smoothbore - lead angle, ammunition type, 58 59 The Battle for Castle Itter was the only known time -dur from their headquarters unit by either a white flag or Austrian In the meantime, the French ing the war in which Americans and Germans fought morning of 4 May. flag, and would summarily ex- prisoners had requested an SS side-by-side. Popular accounts of the battle have called At dawn, a heavily armoured ecute males as possible desert- officer, Kurt-Siegfried Schrad- battlefield it the strangest battle of World War II. rescue was mounted but was ers. er, whom they had befriended in stopped by heavy shelling just Gangl’s hopes were pinned on Itter during his convalescence past Jenbach around halfway to the Americans reaching Wörgl from wounds, to take charge of Itter, then recalled by superiors promptly and surrendering to their defence. he Battle for Castle Itter was fought in et French resistance member for encroaching into territory them. Instead, he would now Upon Lee’s arrival at the cas- the Austrian North Tyrol village of Itter François de La Rocque, and of the U.S. 36th Division to the have to approach them under a tle, prisoners greeted the rescu- B on 5 May 1945, in the last days of the trade union leader Léon Jou- T east. Only two jeeps of auxilia- white flag to ask for their help. ing force warmly but were dis- European Theater of World War II. haux. ry personnel continued. Around the same time, a re- appointed at its small size. Lee a Troops of the 23rd Tank Battalion of the 12th Besides the VIP prisoners, the Upon Čučković’s failure to connaissance unit of four Sher- placed the men under his com- Armoured Division of the US XXI Corps led castle held a number of Eastern return, and the death at the pris- man tanks of the 23rd Tank Bat- mand in defensive positions t by Captain John C. “Jack” Lee, Jr., a number of European prisoners detached on of the former commander talion, 12th Armoured Division around the castle and positioned Wehrmacht soldiers led by Major Josef “Sepp” from Dachau, who were used of Dachau Eduard Weiter un- of the US XXI Corps, under the his tank, Besotten Jenny, at the t Gangl, SS-Hauptsturmführer Kurt-Siegfried for maintenance and other me- der suspicious circumstances command of Captain Lee, had main entrance. Schrader, and recently freed French prisoners nial work. on 2 May, Wimmer feared for reached Kufstein, Austria, 13 Lee had ordered the French l of war defended Castle Itter against an attack- his own life and abandoned his km to the north. prisoners to hide, but they re- ing force from the 17th SS Panzergrenadier The Battle post. There, in the town square, it mained outside and fought e Division until relief from the American 142nd On 3 May 1945, Zvonimir The SS-Totenkopfverbände idled while waiting for the 12th alongside the American and Infantry Regiment of the 36th Division of XXI Čučković, an imprisoned Yu- guards departed the castle soon to be relieved by the 36th Infan- Wehrmacht soldiers. Corps arrived. goslav communist resistance after, with the prisoners taking try Division. Asked to provide Throughout the night, the de- The French prisoners included former prime member from Croatia who control of the castle and arming relief by Gangl, Lee did not fenders were harried by a re- o ministers, generals and a tennis star. It is the only worked as a handyman at the themselves with the weaponry hesitate, volunteering to lead connaissance force sent to as- known time during the war in which Americans prison, left the castle on the pre- that remained. the rescue mission and immedi- sess their strength and probe the f and Germans fought side-by-side. Popular ac- tence of performing an errand Failing to learn of the result ately earning permission from fortress for weaknesses. counts of the battle have called it the strangest for the prison’s commander Se- of Čučković’s effort, prison his HQ. On the morning of 5 May, a battle of World War II. bastian Wimmer. Čučković car- leaders accepted the offer of its After a personal reconnais- force of 100 Waffen-SS launched ried with him a letter in English C Czech cook, Andreas Krobot, sance of the Castle with Gan- their attack. Before the main as- Background seeking Allied assistance he to bicycle to Wörgl mid-day gl in the major’s Kübelwagen, sault began, Gangl was able to Itter Castle (Schloss Itter) is a small castle sit- was to give to the first Ameri- a on 4 May in hopes of reaching Lee left two of his tanks behind phone Alois Mayr, the Austrian uated on a hill near the village of Itter in Aus- can he encountered. help there. but requisitioned five more and resistance leader in Wörgl, and tria. After the 1938 Anschluss, the German gov- The town of Wörgl lay eight s Armed with a similar note, he supporting infantry from the re- request reinforcements. ernment officially leased the castle in late 1940 kilometres down the mountains succeeded in contacting Aus- cently arrived 142nd Infantry Only two more German sol- from its owner, Franz Grüner. but was still occupied by Ger- t trian resistance in that town, Regiment of the 36th. En route, diers under his command and The castle was seized from Grüner by SS man troops. Čučković instead which had recently been aban- Lee was forced to send the rein- a teenage Austrian resistance Lieutenant General Oswald Pohl under the or- pressed on up the Inn River val- l doned by Wehrmacht forces but forcements back when a bridge member, Hans Waltl, could be ders of Heinrich Himmler on 7 February 1943. ley towards Innsbruck 64 km reoccupied by roaming Waff- proved too tenuous for the en- spared, and they quickly drove The transformation of the castle into a prison distant. e en-SS troops. He was taken to tire column to cross once, let to the castle. camp was completed by 25 April 1943, and the Late that evening, he reached Major Josef Gangl, command- alone twice. The Sherman tank provided facility was placed under the administration of the outskirts of the city and en- er of the remains of a unit of Leaving one of his tanks be- machine-gun fire support un- the notorious Dachau concentration camp. The countered an advance party of Wehrmacht soldiers who had hind to guard it, he set back off til it was destroyed by German I prison was established to contain high-profile the 409th Infantry Regiment of defied an order to retreat and accompanied only by 14 Amer- fire from an 88 mm gun; it was French prisoners valuable to the Reich. the American 103rd Infantry instead thrown in with the local ican soldiers, Gangl, and a driv- occupied at the time only by a t Notable prisoners included tennis player Jean Division of the US VI Corps resistance, being made its head. er, and a truck carrying ten for- radioman seeking to repair the Borotra, former prime ministers Édouard Da- and informed them of the cas- Gangl sought to maintain his mer German artillerymen. Six tank’s faulty radio, who es- t ladier and Paul Reynaud, former command- tle’s prisoners. unit’s position in the town to kilometres from the castle, they caped without injury. ers-in-chief Maxime Weygand and Maurice They were unable to author- protect local residents from SS defeated a party of SS troops Meanwhile, by early after- e Gamelin, Charles de Gaulle’s elder sister Ma- ize a rescue on their own but reprisals. Nazi loyalists would that had been attempting to set noon, word had finally reached rie-Agnès Cailliau, right-wing leader and clos- promised Čučković an answer r shoot at any window displaying up a roadblock. the 142nd of the desperation of 60 61 the defenders’ plight, and a re- evening, reaching Paris on 10 days before the signing of Ger- lief force was dispatched. May. many’s unconditional surren- Aware he had been unable der. It was also the only battle to give the 142nd complete in- Aftermath where Americans and Germans formation on the enemy and its For his service defending the fought alongside one another disposition before communica- castle, Lee received the Distin- during the war. tions had been severed, Lee ac- guished Service Cross. Gangl cepted tennis star Borotra’s of- died during the battle from a fer to vault the castle wall and sniper rifle bullet while trying run the gauntlet of SS strong- to move former French prime points and ambushes to deliver minister Reynaud out of harm’s it. way and was honoured as an He succeeded, requested a Austrian national hero, and a uniform, then joined the force street in Wörgl was named after as it made haste to reach the him. prison before its defenders fired He was the sole defender to their last rounds of ammunition. die during the battle, although The relief force arrived four others were wounded. Pop- around 16:00, and the SS were ular accounts of the battle have promptly defeated. Some 100 dubbed it the strangest battle of SS prisoners were reportedly World War II. taken. The battle was fought five Distinguished Service Cross The French prisoners were days after Adolf Hitler had evacuated towards France that committed suicide and only two 62 00 Gaming

Everybody wants to rule the world. And Matt ‘El Loco’ O’ Brien is one of them. He’s about to recruit an army of his own and take up the challenge. Odds are that he’ll shoot himself in the foot - as usual.

he latter half of 2019 enjoying it. leadership, and strategy. was not that great when It’s a bit different because Your character will start off Tit came to the release of it combines real-time strategy with a certain amount of money new military-type games. (RTS) with first-person shooter and equipment. This will also One of the games that has re- (FPS) - and it seems to work. depend on how you answered cently been released to PC is Red Freeman: Guerrilla Warfare the questions earlier. Dead Redemption II. While not is set in a chaos filled world The map is occupied by a a pure military game, it is set in occupied by battling factions, number of factions. Factions the Wild West and was released bandits and warlords who seek vie for control of the nation, on X-Box 1 and Playstation just to rule the world. all with the goal of establish- over a year ago. It’s a great look- The game is about your ca- ing their own hegemony over one that comes fully equipped as quests). Successful comple- you have night vision goggles. ing game, but I’m not going to reer as a faction leader: Start the remnants of the country. or hire them without any equip- tion of a quest brings in money This is an enjoyable game spend R999 on it. I will wait a with minimal assets, you need You control your own faction, ment. The second option if far and equipment. and it can be replayed over and few months until it goes on sale to make money, build an army, which you name and select the cheaper though. Cities can also be attacked over again. You can try different on Steam. wage wars against other fac- flag for. Then it’s a matter of The marketplace is where and, if you are successful, you methods of winning the game There was, however, a game tions and eliminate your rival conquering the rest of the map. you can but and sell stuff. At the take over the city. This allows such as combat, trading or di- that was released just over a year forces with thoughtful strate- There are seven factions and trader you can buy or sell food you to develop the city and plomacy. Well worth a look at. ago by the name of Freeman gies and fine marksmanship and each will control one or more and material. The idea is to buy bring in more money, but re- Guerrilla Warfare. eventually conquer the world. cities. At the start of the game something cheap and then sell it member to leave enough troops The game was one of those ti- The game provides a complete- six of the factions are neutral at a profit at another city. This to defend it. tles known as an “early release ly different shooter experience towards you, but this can, and way you can make money. When you meet up with the game”. In other words the game which strikes a balance between will, change as the game goes At the armour store you can enemy you will often be given a was still in development and intense first-person action and on, depending on what deci- buy equipment such as helmets, few choices. You can attempt to is usually filled with bugs and general strategy. sions and actions you take. protective gear, night vision flee, or you can bribe them not glitches. The game’s innovative com- The Uman Brotherhood are goggles, first-aid kits and so on. to attack you, or you can choose The advantage of buying an bat system blends tactical FPS hostile towards you (and every- At the weapon store you can to fight. early release game is that they with real-time strategy, allow- one else). There are also loot- buy and sell firearms and am- In the last option the game are normally dirt cheap. Basical- ing you to command an army, ers, bandits, terrorists and pi- munition. goes into FPS mode and you ly what the developers are doing plan for tactics in the God view, rates which are all hostile. When you hire new peo- get to take part in the action. is using you as a test player to while immersing in the intense You can enter a friendly or ple you can allocate them to How well you do will depend iron out all the faults. fire-fight as a foot soldier, in the neutral city and are given a squads. The number of squads on things such as your marks- Another advantage is that first-person perspective. number of options. You can vis- you can control is determined manship, what sort of weapon when the game is finally ready to When you start a new game in it the bar where you can pick up by the Leadership skill, while you have, do you have any sort be released as a full game, you campaign mode you are given informations and quests. This the number of squads you can of telescopic sight, and how already own it and don’t have to a set of questions. How you an- is also where you can sell any deploy in combat at any given much ammunition you are car- Publisher - KK Game Studio. pay the new full game price. swer them will determine the at- prisoners you have (more on time is tied to the Commanding rying. This was the case with Free- tributes of your character. There this later). skill. If you are wounded you will Genre - RTS/FPS man Guerrilla Warfare. They are seven attributes and these You can visit the barracks There are also a number of need to have a first-aid kit and Score - 7.5/10 have now released the full game are dexterity, endurance, tech, where you can hire people to small towns where you can enough skill to use it. Fighting Price - R120 (on Steam) and I must admit that I am rather marksmanship, intelligence, join you. You can hire some- trade or pick up work (known at night is really difficult unless 64 65 Book Review TV Series Ultimate Force Review Released: 2002 Running time: 60 minutes each Created by: Rob Heyland & Chris Ryan The Special Task Force he South African Police and some of the most successful Special Task Force is the and daring hostage release dra- ltimate Force is not a Lance Corporal Jem Poynton Force to be entertaining and TSpecial Operation element mas the Task Force has complet- movie, but rather a tel- (Elliot Cowan) is the team snip- well worth watching. Fair of the South African Police. They ed with their impeccable record evision series that deals er. The remaining member is enough, it’s not an accurate re- are considered to be amongst the and more. U best of such Units in the world. In 1967, about 2,000 members with the activities of Red Troop Trooper Sam Leonard (Antho- flection of the real SAS, but it of the SAS (Special Air Service). ny Howell). Alex Leonard is his has a good balance of action They have a formidable reputa- of the South African Police were There were four seasons and adopted brother. and humour. tion in Counter-Terrorism, Coun- deployed to guard the northern Seasons 1 and 2 each had six epi- Captain Dennis “Dotsy” Do- For example, when the two ter-Insurgency, and Hostage Res- border of Rhodesia (modern day sodes. Season 3 had four episodes heny (Jamie Bamber) is the new recruits are introduced to cue. Zimbabwe) to assist Rhodesian and Season 4 had five episodes. commander of Red Troop. Captain Doheny, Alex Leonard The Special Task Force, like security forces in maintaining The series was shown on ITV Other notable characters in- calls him ‘sir”. After Doheny their Military Special Forces law and order in the country as and would later be seen in 120 clude Staff Sergeant Johnny leaves, Garvie says to Leonard, counterparts, is internationally guerrilla attacks became more countries, including on DsTV. Bell (Chris Ryan), head of Blue “Never call a rupert sir, ever.” regarded as being deadly expo- frequent during the Rhodesian It received mixed reviews, with Troops. “They get ideas above their nents in the art of bush warfare. Bush War. some describing it as realistic Colonel Aidan Dempsey station, “says Trooper Sam This book is written as accu- These police members proved and action packed, while others (Miles Anderson), Command- Leonard. rately as possible: the content to be ill-equipped and ineffective did not think that highly of it. In ing Officer of 22 Regiment. The good news is that you coming from years of research at dealing with guerrilla warfare situations. The SAP Special Task fact one reviewer described it as Anderson was born and raised can find most of the episodes and straight from the Operators and terrorism. As a result of these Force was formed in 1976. ‘Ultimate Farce’. in Rhodesia and at one stage his available in full on YouTube, A on the ground; some of the best events the Security Branch of the The series was co-created father commanded the Rhode- bit of fun viewing for when you the Task Force has ever seen. It Police began to envision a spe- Paperback: 300 pages by Chris Ryan MM, a former sian Army. have nothing else to watch. goes deep into the heart of the cial police unit to deal with high- Cost: R450 British SAS soldier who was Captain Caroline Walshe Unit, it tells of the history, the rise risk situations such as hostage Available from 31 January a member of the famous Bra- (Alex Reid) is the intelligence vo Two Zero patrol during the officer and liaison with MI5, 1991 Gulf War. who are nicknamed ‘Box 500’ The main character is Staff after their postal address in Sergeant Henry ‘Henno’ Garvie London. (Ross Kemp). He is the senior Some of Red Troop’s charac- NCO of Red Troop and the only ters are killed off and replaced character to appear in every epi- with others during the series. sode. Notable replacements in- The remainder of Red Troop clude Corporal Louis Hoffman consists of Trooper Jamie Dow (Christopher Fox), Corporal (Jamie Draven) and Trooper Mick Sharp (Laurence Fox), Alex Leonard (Sendhil Rama- and Trooper Becca Gallagher murthy). They have just passed (Heather Peace). SAS selection and have been put Gallagher is the first woman into Red Team. to pass SAS selection, much to Corporal Pete Twamley Colonel Dempsey’s disgust. In (Tony Curran) is the team’s real life current policy is that Born To Storm The Battle of Savate Surviving the Ride demolition expert. Corporal women are not allowed in the R395 R300 R500 Ricky Mann (Danny Sapani) SAS. Click on the poster to watch a has a wicked sense of humour. All in all I found Ultimate trailer of the film. All books are available from Bush War Books 66 67 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January Some of the significant military events that happened in January. Highlighted in blue are the and the rationalisation pro- ical socialist Benito Musso- from 32 Battalion was names of those members of the South African Defence Force (SADF) that lost their lives during the cess of the Department of lini reports for conscription Killed in Action in a land- month of January. Defence, becomes effective. into the Italian Army under mine explosion during coun- • 1992 - Rifleman Paulus an amnesty. ter-insurgency operations in Malesela Matlakala from • 1905 - The Russians sur- Southern Angola. He was lines. man Thomas Amalati (26). 1 January 116 Battalion was Killed in rendered to the Japanese af- 21. • 1959 - Fidel Castro seized Rifleman Joao Mathais (25). • 1776 - During the American Action when he shot dead ter the Battle of Port Arthur • 1984 - Rifleman Petrus power in Cuba after leading • 1978 - Sergeant H. Daniel Revolution, George Wash- by persons unknown while during the Russian-Japanese Daniel from 101 Battal- a revolution that drove out from 32 Battalion died from ington unveiled the Grand on guard duty at Messina. War. ion SWATF accidental- Dictator Fulgencio Batis- a gunshot wound apparently Union Flag, the first national He was 24. • 1933 - US Marines with- ly drowned during a river ta. Castro then established a self-inflicted while he was flag in America. • 1994 - Rifleman Bernard draw from Nicaragua after a crossing in the Operational Communist dictatorship. stationed at Nkongo. He was • 1776 - Britsh seaborne raid- Maditsi Lekalakala from 20 year occupation. Area. He was 22. • 1962 - The US Navy SEALs 39. ers torch Norfolk, Virginia. 115 Battalion was Killed in • 1942 - During World War II • 1984 - Major-General Mu- were established on this day. • 1983 - Sapper David Batten • 1887 - Wilhelm Canaris, Action when he was shot in the Pacific, the Japanese hammadu Buhari is declared • 1964 - Lieutenant Johannes from 97 Ammunition Depot German admiral and spy- dead by persons unknown captured the Philippines Head of State in Nigeria, Stephanus Steenkamp En- collapsed and died after suf- master, who was executed while manning a road block capital of Manila and the following a military coup. slin from 28 Squadron was fering a fatal heart attack at by Hitler, 1945, was born on at Vosloorus. He was 20. nearby air base at Cavite. • 1988 - Major General Ban- critically injured when he ac- the Unit. He was 27. this day. • 2008 - The last German vet- • 1942 - German troops in tu Holomisa, who became cidentally fell from the 2nd • 1984 - Airman Johannes • 1915 - During World War I, eran of WWI, Erich Kaest- Bardia surrender. head of a military state in floor balcony of the Edward Hendrik Kok from Air Logis- the British Battleship For- ner, dies at the age of 107. • 1944 - New Guinea: Allies Transkei after a coup in De- Hotel during New Year’s Eve tics Command was killed in midable was hit by a torpe- land on Saidor, isolating cember 1987, lifts martial celebrations. He succumbed a military vehicle accident do in the English Channel, 12,000 Japanese troops. law and reinstates part of the to his injuries in 1 Military at Ondangwa Town. He was 2 January killing 547 crewmen. • 1945 - US Navy convoys de- constitution. Hospital later that evening. 20. • 1776 - The four corner • 1915 - The first known act part Leyte to invade Luzon, • 1988 - Right-wing guerril- He was 41. • 1987 - Two members from stones of the castle (Kasteel of German sabotage in the while beating off Kamikaze. las ambush a train near Mo- • 1969 - Ian Fleming, former 44 Parachute Regiment were de Goede Hoop) at the Cape U.S.: The John A. Roebling • 1945 - Admiral Sir Bertram zambique’s western border, Royal Navy Commander and killed in a Military Vehi- are laid by Zacharias Wa- Munitions Plant in Trenton Home Ramsay, mastermind killing at least twenty-two creator of James Bond, died cle Accident at Isingolweni genaer, Johan van Arckel, is destroyed by fire. of Dunkirk, dies at the age people and injuring seven- at the age of 56. when the Mamba vehicle in Gabbema and Lacus. • 1920 - Basil L. Plumley, Sgt of 61. ty-one. • 1977 - Rifleman Joao which they were passengers, • 1837 - Voortrekker leaders Maj, US, veteran of three • 1967 - Operation Bolo: In • 2001 - Richard Winters, who Joaquim from 32 Battalion overturned. The casualties Andries Hendrik Potgiet- wars and five combat jumps, the largest air combat action led “The Band of Brothers”, was Killed in Action in a were: Rifleman Abram Weli- er and Gerrit (Gert) Mar- hero of the Ia Drang Valley of the Vietnam War, 28 F-4C Company E, 506th Para- landmine explosion during le Zumane (24). Rifleman itz, each with his own men, in Vietnam, was born on this Phantoms engage 9 MiG- chute Infantry, 19 days short operations against enemy Matthew Damon Seekoei leave for Western Transvaal day. 21s; US aircraft down 7-9 of his 93rd birthday. forces in Southern Angola. (23). to punish Mzilikazi for the • 1942 - Twenty six countries MiGs with no loss. He was 31. • 1990 - General Johan van der Ndebele attack on the Voor- signed the Declaration of the • 1977 - Sergeant A.D.B. • 1977 - Lance Corporal Geof- Merwe is appointed as new trekkers at Vechtkop (Veg- United Nations, in Washing- Bernardo from 31 Battal- frey Allan Lawrie from 1 commissioner of police. kop). ton, D.C., reaffirming their ion SWATF was killed after Reconnaissance Regiment • 1991 - Sergeant Willie Kru- • 1883 - Battle of Boschberg opposition to the Axis pow- being struck by a bullet re- was Killed in Action during ger from Air Force Base during the Mapoch War ers and confirming that no sulting from an accidental a contact with enemy forces Swartkop collapsed and died takes place. single nation would make a discharge from a fellow sol- near Omunduangilo, North after suffering a fatal heart • 1896 - Sir Leander Starr separate peace. diers rifle. He was 32. of Beacon 28. He was 24. attack. He was 26. Jameson and about 500 • 1950 - Indo-China: Viet • 1981 - Rifleman Jose Joao • 1977 - Two members from • 1991 - The Defence Special Rhodesian police surrender Minh open a major offensive at Doornkop, near Krugers- against the French. 101 Battalion SWATF were Tribunal Act, 1998, provid- Killed in Action during a ing for the expeditious ad- dorp, after the failure of the • 1951 - Massive Chinese/ Jameson Raid. North Korean assault on UN- contact with SWAPO/PLAN judication of disputes con- insurgents. They were: Rifle- cerning military institutions • 1904 - Draft dodger and rad- Ian Fleming 68 69 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January

3 January armed patrol between Ma- ron that was flying Staff Of- 4 SAI were Killed in action iterpartei) was founded by (26). • 1926 - Mussolini assumes sisi and Mabelikwe just out- ficers between Mussende & when their Ratel 20, Call- Anton Drexler in Munich. • 1982 - The forty-five mer- the Ministries of War, Navy, side the Western border of Carriango in Central Ango- sign 13B was knocked out Adolf Hitler became mem- cenaries alleged to have & Air. the Kruger National Park. la, was mistaken for a hostile near Cuvelai by a 100mm ber No. 7 and changed the commandeered an Air India • 1931 - Joseph “Papa” Jof- He was 28. enemy helicopter and shot High Explosive Soviet T-55 name in April of 1920 to the Boeing and forced it to fly fre, Marshal of France, dies • 1990 - Manuel Noriega, the down by friendly 20mm an- tank projectile during Ops National Socialist German to Durban, after attempting aged 78. deposed leader of Panama, ti-aircraft gun fire. The casu- Askari. They were: Lance Workers’ Party (Nationalso- a coup in the Seychelles in • 1935 - Ethiopia asks League surrendered to American au- alties were: Brigadier Johan Corporal Wouter Theron zialistische Deutsche Arbe- November 1981, appear in of Nations to guarantee thorities on charges of drug Diederik Potgieter SM (40). Steenkamp (19). Rifleman iterpartei) commonly short- magistrates’ courts in five peace with Italy. trafficking after spending 10 Captain Ferdinand Immel- George Alexander Lennox ened to Nazi or Nazi Party. South African cities. They • 1941 - World War 2: North days hiding in the Vatican man (30). Captain Constant (19). Rifleman Brian Geen • 1968 - Lt Clarence W. are all to go on trial in South Africa. Australian troops embassy following the U.S. Daniel de Wit (26). Sergeant (18). Rifleman Hendrik An- Cote becomes the first male Africa. take 5,000 prisoners during invasion of Panama. George William Kellet (26). dre Heyns (22). Rifleman officer in the Navy Nurse • 1983 - WO 1 Leonard Phil- a major assault on Italian • 1993 - President George • 1976 - Rifleman Pieter Wil- Daniel Abraham Louw (19). Corps. ip Rodney from the 1 Mili- forces at Bardia. Bush and Russian Presi- lem Marais Snyman from 5 Rifleman Johannes Lode- • 1978 - Corporal Gert Jaco- tary Town Management Fire • 1946 - An Englishman dent Boris Yeltsin signed the SAI, part of Battle Group wicus Pretorius (18). bus Erasmus Goosen from Department in Voortrekker- known during World War II Start-II (Strategic Arms Re- Orange, Died of wounds • 1981 - Corporal Gerald 11 Technical Stores Depot hoogte collapsed and died as “Lord Haw Haw” (Wil- duction Talks) Treaty, elim- received when an enemy Christian Gildenhuys from was killed in a Military Ve- after suffering a fatal heart liam Joyce) was hanged for inating about two-thirds of hand grenade exploded in the Technical Service Corps, hicle Accident while on his attack. He was 47. treason in London. Joyce each country’s long range his position near Dondo in was found gassed in his pri- way to Groote Schuur Hos- • 1984 - Special Sergeant Ben- had broadcast Nazi propa- nuclear weapons. Central Angola during an vate motor vehicle in Bell- pital in Cape Town. He was fried Markus from the South ganda via radio from Ger- attack by MPLA and Cuban ville. No foul play was sus- 27. West Africa Police Coun- many to Britain during the 4 January Forces. He was evacuat- pected. He was 27. • 1981 - Lance Corporal Pi- ter-Insurgency Wing: Ops-K war. • 1943 - Japanese GHQ or- ed by helicopter with other • 1984 - Two Members from eter Swanepoel from the (Koevoet) was Killed in Ac- • 1976 - 2nd Lieutenant Dar- ders the evacuation of Gua- wounded, to Silva Porta, but 4 SAI, Ratel 12A (Platoon SWA SPES Bike Squad was tion during a contact with yl Quinton Brandon from 5 dalcanal. succumbed to his wounds Two) were Killed in action Killed in Action in Northern SWAPO/PLAN insurgents SAI Died of Wounds during • 1944 - Operation Carpet- en-route. He was 18. during fierce close-quarter Owamboland when his mo- in Northern Owamboland. Ops Savannah while leading bagger begins, the Allied • 1978 - Two members from 1 fighting while clearing en- torcycle detonated a boosted He was 27. a patrol in a contact against campaign to airdrop arms and 5 Reconnaissance Regi- emy trenches near Cuvelai Yugoslavian TMA-3 Cheese • 1985 - Private Gregory a numerically superior ene- and supplies to the Resist- ment were Killed in Action during Ops Askari. Mine. He was 19. Grant Swain from Northern my force in Central Angola ance in Europe. during counter-insurgency • 1989 - Airman Johan Nel • 1982 - Three members from Transvaal Medical Com- approximately 30km North • 1945 - Luzon: 3rd Fleet operations in Mocambique from the Test Flight Devel- 19 & 31 Squadron were mand was killed instant- of Cela. He was 19. hit by kamikaze, USS ‘Om- as part of Operation Mel- opment Centre was killed in Killed in Action when their • 1984 - Corporal Adelino maney Bay’ (CVE-79) is on (SADF Name (Opera- a private motor vehicle acci- Aerospatiale SA330H Puma Aurelio from 32 Battalion lost. tion Acrobat). They were dent. He was 18. was shot down by hostile was Killed in Action during • 1951 - Chinese and North attached to “D” Squad- • 1989 - Second Gulf of Sidra small-arms fire not long af- a contact with enemy forces Korean forces capture Seoul. ron Rhodesian Special Air Incident: two US Navy ter crossing the cut-line into in Southern Angola. He was • 1966 - Lieutenant-Colonel Service when their patrol F-14s down two Libyan Southern Angola en-route to 29. Sangoulé Lamizana deposes walked into 30-man strong MiG-23s. Ongiva after dropping off • 1989 - Lance Corporal President Maurice Yaméogo Frelimo ambush in the Gaza • 2010 - Tsutomo Yamaguchi, troops. They were: Captain Khazamula Obed Mathebu- of Burkina Faso in a military Province of Mozambique. who survived both the Hiro- John Allen Robinson (27). la from 907 Special Services coup. The casualties were: Lance shima and Nagasaki bomb- Lieutenant Michael John Company stationed at Arton • 1976 - Four members of Corporal Cecil Ian Men- ings, dies at the age of 93. Earp (26). Flight Sergeant Villa, Messina (Soutpanberg the SADF were killed dur- nicke (24). Lance Corporal Kenneth George Dalgleish Military Area) was killed ing Ops Savannah when an Christiaan Louis De Wilzem 5 January when his Buffel Troop Car- Aérospatiale SA 330C Puma (20). • 1919 - The German Work- rier overturned during an Helicopter from 19 Squad- • 1984 - Six Members from ers’ Party (Deutsche Arbe- William Joyce 70 71 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January ly while on Guard Duty in troops & 12,000 camp fol- wounds on the 7th and 8th port back in Pretoria after a 1983. He was 28. 8 January Pretoria when he was shot lowers will be lost or cap- January respectively. campaign in Europe to pro- • 1984 - Rifleman Josephat • 794 - First Viking raid on through the heart as a result tured. • 1984 - Rifleman Raymond cure aid for the reconstruc- Johannes Levi from SWATF Britain, Lindisfarne Abbey of an accidental discharge of • 1940 - Germans massacre Frederick Hildebrandt from tion of the country after the was killed in a shooting in- is destroyed. a fellow soldier’s rifle. He Poles in Poznan. Special Forces Headquarters Second Anglo-Boer War. cident at Tsintsabis. He was • 1806 - The Battle of Blaau- was 20. • 1943 - Papua: US and Aus- was killed instantly while on • 1941 - Japanese Admiral 20. wberg takes place, and part • 1987 - Special Sergeant tralian troops mass for a fi- guard duty at the Headquar- Isoruku Yamamoto propos- • 1986 - Special Constable of the defending force capit- Uatuapeke Kandji from the nal assault on Sanananda. ters when he was struck by a es a surprise attack on Pearl Abiud Kenahana from the ulates two days later. Cape South West Africa Police • 1961 - Nikita Khruschev bullet resulting from an ac- Harbour. South West Africa Police Governor Janssens and the Counter-Insurgency Wing: declares that the Soviet Un- cidental discharge from an • 1943 - Guadalcanal: US Counter-Insurgency Wing: rest of the force capitulated Ops-K (Koevoet) was Killed ion will back Third World R4 assault rifle that a fellow strength reaches 50,000, Ops-K Division (Koevoet) on 18 January, after which in Action during a contact “wars of national libera- soldier was in the process of Japanese less than 25,000. was Killed in Action dur- the second British occupa- with SWAPO/PLAN insur- tion”. making safe. He was 19. • 1945 - British Field Marshal ing a contact with SWAPO/ tion of the Cape started. gents in Northern Owam- • 1973 - Captain Rudolf Al- • 1985 - Candidate Officer Bernard Law Montgom- PLAN insurgents in North- • 1815 - The Battle of New boland. He was 29 bert Hammann from Air (Miss) Shirley Louise Mans- ery tells a press conference ern Owamboland. He was Orleans occurred as Gen- • 1988 - Lance Corporal John Force Headquarters died in field from Air Force Base that he won the Battle of the 28. eral Andrew Jackson and Adam Lotriet from 10 Ar- 1 Military Hospital in Pre- Pietersburg was accidentally Bulge. • 1986 - The ANC in exile in American troops defended moured Car Squadron was toria. He was suffering from killed in a civilian sky-div- • 1953 - US President Truman Lusaka calls on its support- themselves against a British killed in Northern Owam- Cancer. He was 26. ing incident in Pietersburg announces development of ers to take the struggle into attack, inflicting over 2,000 boland after being struck • 1980 - Rifleman Jan Pieter when her parachute failed to the hydrogen bomb. White areas. casualties. Both sides in this by a bullet resulting from Uys from 1 Parachute Bat- open during a Sunday prac- • 1973 - Private Johannes • 1987 - The British army battle were unaware that an accidental discharge of talion was killed when his tice jump. She was 19. Jacobus Potgieter from 86 suggests that 600 troops re- peace had been declared two a fellow soldier’s rifle. He Buffel Troop Carrier over- • 1985 - Rifleman Valentinus Technical Stores Depot died turning from a tour in Kenya weeks earlier with the sign- was 19. turned in Northern Owam- Sikerete from 202 Battalion from a sport injury received should take an AIDS test. ing of the Treaty of Ghent • 1989 - The ANC agrees to boland, crushing him under SWATF was Killed in Ac- during training while at Ny- • 1989 - Emperor Hirohito of ending the War of 1812. close its military training the vehicle. He was 18. tion during a contact with amandhlovu. He was 20. Japan, who ruled Japan dur- • 1918 - Amid the ongoing base in Angola and in return • 1983 - Eight men from SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. • 1979 - Vietnamese forces ing World War II died after World War in Europe, Pres- South Africa must stop aid Group 34 were Killed in Ac- He was 24. capture Phnom Penh from a long illness. He had ruled ident Woodrow Wilson pro- to the rebel Angolan UNI- tion or later Died of Wounds • 1986 - Special Constable the Khmer Rouge. for 62 years and was suc- posed his Fourteen Points, TA movement, the Angolan when their Buffel Troop Simon Fillipus from the • 1982 - Candidate Officer ceeded by his son, Crown calling for a reduction of president, Jose Eduardo dos Carrier detonated a dou- South West Africa Police Derek William Evans from Prince Akihito. arms, self determination for Santos says in an interview. ble boosted anti-tank mine Counter-Insurgency Wing: Central Flying School Dun- • 1994 - Rifleman Dario Da- governments, and the crea- near the Okangwati Mili- Ops-K Division (Koevoet) nottar was killed when his vid Marco Vervey from tion of a League of Nations, 6 January tary Base. The casualties was Killed in Action dur- Harvard AT-6 crashed be- Natal Command was killed all intended to serve as a ba- • 1412 - Joan of Arc is born in were: Corporal Richard Al- ing a contact with SWAPO/ tween Endicott and Delmas when he accidentally fell off France on this day. exander Ede (27). Rifleman PLAN insurgents in North- while on a solo general fly- the back of a moving Buffel • 1900 - The Battle of Wag- Abraham Aboud (22). Ri- ern Owamboland. He was ing training flight. He was Troop Carrier in Durban. He on Hill (Platrand), south of fleman Johannes Hermanus 34. 18. was 19. Ladysmith, takes place, in Diedericks (24). Rifleman • 1988 - General Bantu Holo- • 1983 - Rifleman Gerald • 2015 - Islamist terrorists at- which the Boer forces make Barthlomeus Jacobus Du misa, who ousted Stella Pereiro Da Silva from the tack the office of the maga- an unsuccessful attempt to Toit (26). Rifleman Floris Sigcau in a coup, appoints Sandriver Commando at- zine ‘Charlie Hebdo’ in Par- bring about the fall of La- Marthinus Griesel (27). Ri- himself as the Transkei’s tached to Group 34 Died of is, killing 12 and wounding dysmith. fleman Johannes Lodewikus military and government Wounds in 1 Military Hos- several others. • 1842 - Afghanistan: An- van der Merwe (26). Rifle- chief. pital after being critically glo-Indian forces begin a man Gerald Pereira Da Sil- wounded in a landmine ex- disastrous retreat from Ka- va (28) and Rifleman Peter 7 January plosion near the Okangwati bul; all but one of 4,500 Uzzel (26) succumbed to • 1903 - The Boer generals re- Military Base on 06 January Bernard Montgomery 72 73 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January

sis for resolving the conflict river. Despite an intensive Leonard (24). Rifleman M. Piet Retief was Killed in of civil war. • 1965 - Sirr al-Khatim and establishing a lasting search, his body was never Ndjolonimu (23). Rifleman Action during a contact with al-Khalifa, the Sudanese peace in Europe. recovered. He has no known E. Nyawala (26). Rifleman SWAPO/PLAN insurgents 10 January prime minister, admits to • 1941 - Lord Robert grave and remains unac- S. Jacob (25). Rifleman J. near Eenhana. He was 26. • 1806 - Signing of the sec- providing aid to Congolese Baden-Powell, British gen- counted for. He was 18. Nangolo (23). • 1978 - Rifleman Donald ond and final surrender of rebels. eral during the siege of Ma- • 1983 - Private Gerald Jeffrey • 1989 - The ANC announces William Paterson from 1 the Cape to the British under • 1972 - 2nd Lieutenant Jo- feking during the Second Pieters from Air Force Base it will dismantle its guerrilla SAI was killed in a military Gen. David Baird at Papen- hannes Daniel Burger from Anglo-Boer War and found- Swartkop suffered severe camps in Angola in support vehicle accident at Bloem- dorp (presently Woodstock) 6 Squadron was killed when er of the Boy Scouts, dies in head injuries sustained in a of peace. fontein. He was 21. after the defeat of Gen. J.W. his AT-6 Harvard, Serial No. Nyeri, Kenya. private motor vehicle acci- • 1989 - Soviet Union promis- • 1979 - Two members from Janssens. 7034 crashed near George • 1943 - British turn control of dent near Estcourt on 7 Jan- es to eliminate stockpiles of 24 Squadron were killed • 1879 - British troops enter during a routine cross-coun- Madagascar over to the Free uary 1983. He was admitted chemical weapons. when their Hawker Siddeley Zululand and the Anglo-Zu- try and tactical navigation French. to the Wentworth Hospital • 2007 - A United States mil- Buccaneer S-50 crashed at lu war starts. flight. He was 22. • 1966 - Two members from in Durban where he sadly itary gunship launches air Roedtan near Marble Hall • 1879 - The 22-year-old • 1976 - Rifleman Andries 17 Squadron together with succumbed to his injuries on raids against hideouts of during a night training ex- Prince Imperial of France, Jacobus Rautenbach from 8 a Portuguese Army Sergeant 08 January 1983. He was 23. prominent members of the ercise. The crew were: Cap- Eugene Louis Jean Joseph SAI was killed when struck and two Portuguese Army • 1983 - Rifleman Peter Uzzel al-Qaeda network in south- tain Kenneth Brian Duncan Napoleon, who studied in by a bullet as a result of an Corporal’s were killed when from the Goudveld Com- ern Somalia. (25). Lieutenant Pierre Paul England at the Royal Mili- accidental discharge of a fel- their Alouette III crashed mando attached to Group Wahl (21). tary Academy and joined the low soldier’s rifle while he east of Boane, near Lourenço 34, Died of Wounds in 1 9 January • 1980 - Rifleman Pedro British forces, was killed in was stationed at Rundu. He Marques (Maputo), Moçam- Military Hospital after be- • 1805 - Lord Nelson is en- Komengo from 102 Battal- the Anglo-Zulu War. was 18. bique while carrying out ing critically wounded in a tombed in the crypt of St. ion SWATF was Killed in • 1900 - Lord Frederick S. • 1981 - Mozambique and rescue operations at the Um- landmine explosion near the Paul’s, London. Action when the vehicle in Roberts arrives at the Cape, Zimbabwe sign a defence beluzi Pumping Station. The Okangwati Military Base on • 1861 - First Shot of the which he was travelling det- replacing Sir Redvers Bull- and security agreement un- SADF casualties were: Cap- 06 Jan 1983. He was 26. American Civil War: US onated a landmine in North- er as commander-in-chief of der which an attack by SA tain Guillame Nel Shawe • 1984 - South African secu- steamer ‘Star of the West’ ern Owamboland. He was the British forces in South on either country will be (43). Air Corporal Frederick rity forces begin withdrawal is fired on by South- Car 22. Africa. Herbert H. Kitchen- taken as an assault on both. Hermanus Moolman (23). from southern Angola. olina militia batteries off • 1993 - Angolan government er as his chief-of -staff ac- • 1982 - Rifleman Abel Al- • 1973 - Two South African • 1987 - Nine members from Charleston. troops capture the headquar- companies him. bertus van Wyk from 1 Par- policemen are killed and 101 Battalion Battalion Ro- • 1916 - Gallipoli Campaign ters of UNITA rebel lead- • 1942 - Heinz Hitler (19), achute Battalion was killed five policemen (two South meo Mike Team SWATF ends as the last allied troops er Jonas Savimbi in central nephew of Adolf Hitler, instantly after being struck African and three Rhode- together with two attached evacuate the peninsula. Angola. Savimbi, however, is captured on the Eastern sian) injured in an explo- personnel, were Killed in Ac- • 1936 - Garand M-1 semi-au- escapes. Front while serving as an sion near the Zambezi River tion and 65 wounded during tomatic rifle adopted by the • 1996 - The National Crime NCO in the 23rd Artillery; in north-western Rhodesia a contact with a numerically US Army. Information Management dies in a Soviet POW camp. (Zimbabwe). superior enemy force near • 1941 - 6,000 Jews slaugh- Centre releases figures • 1943 - Guadalcanal: U.S. • 1973 - Secret peace talks be- Vinticet in Southern Angola. tered in Bucharest, Roma- confirming South Africa’s forces begin a general offen- tween US & North Vietnam The eleven members Killed nia. designation as the most vi- sive to eliminate Japanese. resume near Paris. in Action were: Lieutenant • 1970 - France agrees to sell olent country in the world • 1946 - The League of Na- • 1975 - Rifleman Adriaan Michael Cornelius Machi- Mirage military jets to rev- outside a war zone. tions dissolves after twen- Albertus Le Grange from 5 el Dreyer (24). Lance Cor- olutionary regime in Libya. • 2005 - After nearly three ty-six years and is replaced SAI was Reported Missing poral Emil Tamsen (18). • 1973 - Rhodesia closes its years of negotiations, Su- by the United Nations, with at Bagani while travelling as Sapper Eugen Albert Mey- borders with Zambia to try dan’s government and main its first meeting in London. a passenger in a military ve- er (19). Lance Corporal M. to cut off Black liberation rebel group sign the final hicle that accidentally drove Fernando (24). Rifleman L. forces. agreement to the Naivasha, off the edge of the pont fer- Alweendo (27). Rifleman P. Kenya, peace accord to end • 1978 - Lance Corporal Ste- Jonas Savimbi ry and overturned into the Cerement (26). Rifleman E. ven Leamy from Regiment more than twenty-one years 74 75 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January in the head by a bullet that Malonga (35). Battalion were Killed in Navy veteran, last surviv- is reported near the Botswa- • 1967 - New York Times re- resulted from an accidental • 1989 - 140 nations agree to Action when their Buffel ing Briton to have served in na border. Botswana denies ports the Army is conduct- discharge of a MAG light ban chemical weapons. Troop Carrier detonated both world wars, dies at 108. that it is being used as a ing secret germ warfare ex- machine-gun during a train- • 1991 - US Congress author- two Yugoslavian TMA- springboard for attacks on periments on the public. ing exercise outside Oshiv- izes President G.H.W. Bush 3 Cheese Mines that were 13 January his neighbours. • 1969 - Fire aboard USS ello. to undertake offensive oper- boosted with a Soviet TM- • 1915 - South African troops • 1982 - Corporal Daniel ‘Enterprise’ (CVN-65), off ations against Iraq. 57 Anti-Tank Mine while occupy Swakopmund, Ger- Jacobus Steenkamp from Vietnam, 28 die, 344 in- 11 January they were traveling from man South-West Africa. 400 Airfield Maintenance jured. • 1904 - The Herero of Ger- 12 January Eenhana to Ondangwa. The • 1935 - The population of Unit (SAAF) was killed in a • 1971 - Britain proposes the man Southwest Africa revolt • 1893 - WW I flying ace and casualties were: Rifleman the Saar region bordering Military Vehicle accident in sale of arms to South Africa. against colonial domination. future Head of the Nazi Charles Deon Bekker (19). France and Germany voted Pretoria. He was 25. • 1978 - Corporal Alan Gor- • 1944 - Krakow-Plaszow Luftwaffe, Hermann Gor- Rifleman Christo Gerhardus for incorporation into Hit- • 1986 - Thomas Chilunku don-Bennet from Northern Concentration Camp estab- ing, is born on this day. Krog (20). ler’s Reich. from 201 Battalion SWATF Transvaal Command was lished. • 1915 - South African forces • 1981 - Lance Corporal Ben- • 1943 - General Philippe Le- was Killed in Action dur- killed in a military vehicle • 1970 - The 32-month-old invade German South-West jamin Karl Steenkamp from clerc’s Free French troops ing a contact with SWAPO/ accident at Nelspruit. He secessionist Biafran regime Africa at Ramansdrift. the Personnel Service Corps merge with the British army PLAN insurgents in North- was 21. collapses under onslaughts • 1940 - Daniël Hermanus attached to Southern Cape under the command of ern Owamboland. He was • 1981 - Rifleman C. Cabon- by Nigerian military. (Dan) Pienaar is appointed Command Headquarters Montgomery. 25. ga from 32 Battalion who • 1976 - Military coup in Ec- to command the First South was killed in a military ve- • 1943 - Hitler declares Ger- • 1986 - Bloody coup over- was Killed in Action dur- uador ousts Dictator/Presi- African Infantry Brigade. hicle accident near Peddie many must wage “Total throws government of South ing a contact with SWAPO/ dent Guillermo Rodriguez • 1944 - Churchill and de in the Eastern Cape. He was War”. Yemen. PLAN insurgents in South- Lara. Gaulle confer in Marrakech. 18. • 1961 - Fighting erupts be- • 1987 - Airman Craig An- ern Angola. He was 25. • 1979 - Rifleman Nicolaas • 1964 - One month after inde- • 1987 - Prince Edward re- tween UN troops and sup- thony Lucarne from 508 Johannes Myburgh from the pendence, a bloody uprising signs from the Royal Ma- porters of Patrice Lumumba SAAF Security Squadron, 15 January Botha Regiment was crit- by the black majority ousts rines. in the Congo. Air Force Base Durban, was • 1926 - John Harling, the ically injured in a private the Arab ruling minority of • 1988 - Gunner Kevin Alan • 1963 - Sgt Gnassingbe killed when his Rhino Ar- last known veteran of the motor vehicle accident and Zanzibar, installing a gov- Roberts from the Artillery Eyadema murders West Af- moured Personnel Carrier “Charge of the Light Bri- admitted to the Hospital in ernment that shortly unites School in Potchefstroom rican Republic of Togo’s overturned on the N3 near gade”, dies aged 93. Messina with bleeding on with Tanganyika to form was killed in a Military Ve- President Sylvanus Olym- Louis Botha Airport in Dur- • 1942 - Japanese Southern the brain. He succumbed to Tanzania. hicle Accident between Ver- pio in a military coup. ban. He was 19. Army invades Burma from his injuries not long after ad- • 1965 - Lieutenant Richard eeniging and Johannesburg. • 1964 - Two members from mission. He was 25. Johannes Oltman from 5 He was 27. 8 Squadron were killed 14 January • 1980 - Lance Corporal Squadron was killed when • 1988 - Airman Stefan Oliver when their AT-6 Harvard • 1867 - Alfred Nobel makes Derick James Evans from his AT-6 Harvard crashed Jedlika from 3 Satellite Ra- crashed near Bloemspruit. the first public demonstra- 61 Mechanised Battalion near Bulwer during a night dar Station at Klippan, Ma- They were: 2nd Lieutenant tion of dynamite. Group was killed when his cross country flight. He was feking, died after suffering Johannes Theodorus Brits • 1942 - Malaya: Japanese Buffel Troop Carrier over- 30. a cerebral haemorrhage. He (19). Air Mechanic Louis capture Malacca. turned while on patrol in the • 1974 - Corporal Willem was 19. Johannes Lodewyk Roth- • 1943 - President Franklin Etosha Pan Game Reserve. Jacobus Reynolds from 2 • 1992 - Algerian government man (20). Roosevelt and British Prime He was 18. SAI was accidentally killed cancels second round of vot- • 1968 - Beginning of the Tet Minister Winston Churchill • 1984 - Two members from at Ondangwa when he was ing in parliamentary elec- Offensive in Vietnam. met at Casablanca in Mo- 32 Battalion were Killed in struck by a bullet resulting tions that an Islamic party • 1972 - A group of junior of- rocco to work on strategy Action during a contact with from an accidental discharge looks set to win. The Isla- ficers overthrows civilian during World War II. enemy forces in Southern of a fellow soldier’s rifle. He mists take to arms, and ten government of Ghana in Angola during Ops Askari. was 19. thousands of Algerians die West Africa. They were: Rifleman Joao • 1979 - Two members from in the next few years. • 1979 - A clash between po- Dala (31). Rifleman Isaac 5 SAI, both attached to 54 • 2008 - Bill Stone, Royal lice and suspected guerrillas Dan Pienaar 76 77 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January Thailand. gents in Northern Owam- ald Bodhill from 2 Special age of 91. H-bomb into the Atlantic. and Mosita. He was 17. • 1945 - Red Army liberates boland. They were: Special Service Battalion was killed • 1977 - Rifleman Johannes • 1991 - Operation Desert the Krakow-Plaszow con- Constable Mathais Fesina- while traveling along the 17 January Jesajus Botha from Springs Storm: Coalition air offen- centration camp. go (27). Special Constable Chitado road in Southern • 1837 - The Voortrekkers un- Commando was critically sive is unleashed over Iraq, • 1949 - Mao’s Red army cap- Shivelekeni Dhilimbuluk- Angola to set up a vehicle der Hendrik Potgieter and wounded during July 1976 US pilot Jeffrey Zahn is shot tures Tientsin. weni (29). ambush position. He was 19. Gerrit Maritz defeat the while stationed at Katima down and captured. • 1966 - Prime Minister Sir • 1977 - Mercenaries mount Ndebele under Mzilikazi at Mulilo when he was struck Abubakar Tafawa Balewa is 16 January an unsuccessful military Mosega, near the present in the abdomen by a bullet 18 January killed in Nigeria’s first mili- • 1900 - British troops under coup in Benin. Zeerust. The Ndebele flee resulting from an accidental • 1900 - Mafeking siege: Two tary coup. General Neville Lyttelton • 1983 - Signaler Joel Johanne north and the majority cross discharge of a fellow sol- Black cattle-herds are cap- • 1973 - US President Nixon and General Charles Warren Schutte from the South West the Limpopo River. dier’s rifle. He succumbed tured and summarily execut- suspends all US offensive cross the Tugela River. Africa Command Signal • 1879 - On the afternoon of to his wounds nearly six ed at Mafeking by burghers, action over North Vietnam. • 1904 - Herero Revolt: Gob- Unit SWATF was killed in a 17 January 1879 the Zulu months later on 17 January in accordance with a coun- • 1981 - Two members from abis is besieged. A German private motorcycle accident king Cetshwayo (Cetewayo) 1977 after complications set cil of war decision on cat- 1 Parachute Battalion were company from Outjo is am- in Windhoek. He was 19. addresses 20,000 of his in. He was 21. tle-rustlers. President Kru- Killed in Action during a bushed at Okanjande near • 1986 - Sergeant John Chris- warriors at the great mili- • 1977 - Rifleman Edward ger immediately repudiates fierce contact with a numer- present-day Otjiwarongo. topher van Graan from the tary kraal of Nodwengu: “I Leslie Mayo from 5 SAI this decision and orders this ically superior FAPLA and • 1941 - The US War Depart- Far North Command Prov- am sending you out against was accidentally shot dead practice to cease forthwith. PLAN force while support- ment forms a squadron for ost Unit was accidentally the Whites, who have in- by a fellow soldier while • 1900 - The 104mm field- ing 32 Battalion elements black aviation cadets. killed near Messina while vaded Zululand and driv- preparing an ambush east of gun known as ‘Long Cecil’ during the Battle of Cua- • 1944 - General Eisenhower attempting to recover a bro- en away our cattle. You are the Kwando River. He was is test fired for the first time. mato in Southern Angola. takes command of Opera- ken-down vehicle. He was to go against the column at 19. • 1902 - Commandant Gide- They were: Sergeant Louis tion Overlord. 26. Rorke’s Drift and drive it • 1985 - Special Constable on Scheepers is executed by Theodorus Hermanus Wes- • 1951 - Viet Minh offensive • 1988 - Rifleman Manuel back into Natal.” Shopeke Hatutale from the a firing squad near Graaff- sels (22). Rifleman Leonard at Hanoi. Thomas from 32 Battalion • 1885 - In the desperate hand South West Africa Police Reinet after being found Truter (22). • 1963 - Khrushchev claims was killed in a private motor to hand Battle of Abu Klea, Counter-Insurgency Unit: guilty by a British military • 1982 - Rifleman Fausti- to have a 100-megaton nu- vehicle accident in the Ca- the British under General Ops-K Division (Koevoet) court on charges of mur- nus Mushanambango from clear bomb. privi Strip. He was 37. Sir Herbert Stewart repulse was Killed in Action dur- der, arson and demolishing 202 Battalion SWATF was • 1966 - Nigerian Army chief, • 1991 - The war against Iraq the Sudanese Camel Corp of ing a contact with SWAPO/ trains during the South Afri- Killed in Action during a General Johnson Agui- began as Allied aircraft con- 10,000 under Command of PLAN insurgents in North- can War. contact with PLAN insur- yi-Ironsi, briefly takes pow- ducted a major raid against Mohammed Ahmed. ern Owamboland. He was • 1904 - The German bat- gents. He was 25. er in a military coup. Over Iraqi air defenses. The air • 1944 - HM Corvette ‘Vio- 32. • 1984 - Gunner Gilderoy fifty government officials raid on Baghdad was broad- let’ sinks ‘U-641’ in Atlantic • 1988 - Rifleman Dumisani Kruger from 10 Anti-Air- are killed, including the ex- cast live to a global audience Ocean. Ngubani from 121 Battalion craft Regiment Died of isting prime minister Sir by CNN correspondents as • 1945 - During World War was killed in a military ve- Wounds accidentally sus- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. operation Desert Shield be- II, Warsaw, Poland, was hicle accident in Durban. He tained at Oshivello. He was • 1968 - 2nd Lieutenant Bri- came Desert Storm. liberated by Soviet Russian was 24. 18. an John Poorter from 5 • 1992 - The twelve-year civ- troops. • 1990 - Rifleman Johan • 1986 - A military coup de- Squadron was killed when il war in El Salvador ended • 1951 - China refuses Bush from the 2nd Battalion poses the Lesotho Govern- his AT-6 Harvard, Serial No with the signing of a peace cease fire in Korea. South African Cape Corps ment. 7127 suffered engine failure treaty in Mexico City. The • 1966 - A Hydrogen bomb was killed in a military ve- • 1987 - Two members from while on a routine low level conflict had claimed over accident occurred over Pal- hicle accident between Bray the South West Africa Po- training flight and crashed 75,000 lives. omares, Spain, as an Amer- lice Counter-Insurgency into trees. He was 19. • 2014 - Hiroo Onoda, Japa- ican B-52 jet collided with Wing: Ops-K (Koevoet) • 1970 - Col Kadhaffi be- nese Army officer who did its refueling plane. Eight were Killed in Action during comes premier of Libya. not surrender until 1974, on crewmen were killed and a contact with PLAN insur- • 1976 - Trooper Trevor Don- his 52nd birthday. dies at the the bomber then released its Hiroo Onoda 78 79 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January

tleship “Habicht” lands at fered a fatal heart attack and from 1 Squadron died as a • 1988 - Rifleman Johannes opened to the public. 46km from Messina. They Swakopmund, bringing died while stationed at Buf- result of a shooting incident Petrus Barnard from 1 SAI • 1964 - Army mutiny in Tan- were: Lance Corporal Japie fresh German troops who falo Base. He was 32. at his home. He was 32. was killed in action during ganyika over pay is put down Louis Nel (20). Rifleman proceed into the interior un- • 1991 - Iraq launches SCUD • 1971 - Air Mechanic Jean Ops Hooper. He was 18. with British assistance. Lovemore Phakati (22). der the command of Second missiles against Israel. le Roux from 35 Squadron • 1965 - It is reported in Lon- • 1986 - Rifleman R.M. Lieutenant Gygas. was killed in a private motor 20 January don that the British govern- Kröhne from 102 Battalion • 1919 - Versailles Peace Con- 19 January vehicle accident in Bellville. • 1835 - Xhosa warriors over- ment will not issue a permit SWATF was killed when his ference begins. • 1807 - US Civil War Con- He was 20. run the Eastern Cape fron- for the export of the ground- Buffel Troop Carrier over- • 1943 - Warsaw Ghetto up- federate General Robert E. • 1979 - Private Martin Eu- tier. to-air missiles South Africa turned in Northern Owam- rising begins. Lee was born on this day. gene Weideman from the • 1879 - British troops un- requires. boland. He was 19. • 1960 - US & Japan sign joint • 1900 - Mafeking siege: Air Force Gymnasium died der Lord Chelmsford pitch • 1979 - Trooper Gregory • 1987 - Rifleman P Rutjindo defence treaty. General J.P. Snyman sends of natural causes in 1 Mili- their camp on the slopes of Ernst Raaff from 1 Special from 102 Battalion SWATF • 1976 - 2nd Lieutenant An- a starving group of Black tary Hospital. He was 19. Isandhlawana, where Zulu Service Battalion died of died in Hospital from Ma- dries Muller from the School women, who have been en- • 1982 - Rifleman Fernando warriors attack them two injuries at Oshakati Hospi- laria contracted during oper- of Armour Died of Wounds couraged by the British to José Gaspar De Sousa from days later. tal after being accidentally ations in Southern Angola. during a contact with enemy attempt a breakout, back 3 Parachute Battalion was • 1900 - In the Battle of crushed between two vehi- He was 20. forces during Ops Savan- under a White flag. Colo- critically injured on 5 Jan- Tabanyama, Natal front, a cles at Ruacana. He was 20. • 1989 - Two members from nah. He was 19. nel Baden-Powell objects uary 1982 when he was ac- group of Indian stretcher • 1981 - Corporal Donald Regiment Hillcrest were • 1978 - Rifleman Antonio and threatens to commence cidentally driven over by a bearers, among whom the Brooks from 3 SAI Died of killed in a military vehicle Cassamano from 32 Battal- hostilities if they should ad- Buffel Troop Carrier at On- young Durban attorney Mo- Wounds received in action accident. They were: Ser- ion was Killed in Action dur- vance further. dangwa. Evacuated to 1 Mil- handas Ghandi, becomes on 03 December 1980 when geant Anton Bela van der ing a contact with the enemy • 1915 - Germans begin Zep- itary Hospital in Pretoria, he intermingled with fight- his company was based at Merwe (23). Corporal Cor- forces when his patrol was pelin raids on Great Britain, succumbed to his injuries on ing troops. Six of them are Ondangwa. He was 19. nelius Johannes Stroebel ambushed at a waterhole bombing Great Yarmouth & 19 January 1982. He was 28. killed and twelve wounded • 1982 - Three members from (27). near Omalapapa in Southern King’s Lynn. 20 people are • 1982 - Two members from in the crossfire. The battle 1 Special Service Battalion, • 1991 - During an Iraqi Angola. He was 24. killed. 4 SAI were Killed in Action continued two more days. two of them twin broth- SCUD attack on Israel, US • 1979 - Corporal Fritz Au- • 1940 - General J.B.M. Hertz- near Etale Base. The casu- • 1942 - During the Holo- ers, were Killed in Action Patriot missiles are used for gust Ferreira from 3 SAI was og, as leader of the Opposi- alties were: Lance Corporal caust, Reinhard Heydrich, in Northern Owamboland the first time, with mixed killed when he accidentally tion, announces he will in- Johannes Gerhardus Rey- Himmler’s second in com- during Ops Handsak while success. electrocuted himself while troduce a motion calling on neke (19). Rifleman Dudley mand of the SS, convened working with elements of stationed at Ondangwa. He the Union of South Africa to Nel (19). the Wannsee Conference in 32 Battalion. The casual- 21 January was 18. make a separate peace treaty • 1982 - Flight Sergeant John Berlin with 15 top Nazi bu- ties were: Lance Corporal • 1824 - American Civil War • 1980 - Two members from with Germany. Williams from 15 Squadron reaucrats to coordinate the Ockert Petrus Kruger (18). Confederate Army Gener- the 2 SAI Support Compa- • 1941 - The 1st SA Division was killed when his Alou- Final Solution (Endlösung) Lance Corporal Pieter Kru- ny Platoon were Killed in enters Abyssinia from the ette III helicopter crashed in which the Nazis would ger (18). Trooper Herman Action or Died of Wounds south. while conducting dagga op- attempt to exterminate the Fourie (19). when their patrol was am- • 1941 - Kassala, on the Su- erations in conjunction with entire Jewish population • 1983 - Two members from bushed by a numerically dan-Eritrean border, is re- the South African Police of Europe, an estimated 11 the Soutpansberg Military superior force of SWAPO/ taken by the British as Ma- who were destroying dagga million persons. Area were Killed in a mili- PLAN Insurgents just North jor General William Platt plantations in the Greytown • 1944 - Burma: Allies pre- tary vehicle accident on the of the Cut-line. They were: begins an offensive against and Tugela Ferry area. He pare major offensive to open Malala Drift Road about Lance Corporal Phillipus Italian troops in Eritrea. was 29. the “Burma Road”. Rudolf Maritz (19). Ri- • 1943 - Guadalcanal: U.S. • 1983 - Former Gestapo offi- • 1944 - The Royal Air Force fleman Benjamin Arthur destroyers shell Japanese cial Klaus Barbie, known as drops 2,500 tons of bombs Froneman (19). positions. the “Butcher of Lyon,” was on Berlin. • 1984 - Corporal Jose Anto- • 1964 - Major Jean de Wet arrested in Bolivia, South • 1951 - Fort Klapperkop and nio from 32 Battalion suf- America. Fort Skanskop, Pretoria, are Reinhard Heydrich 80 81 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January al “Stonewall” Jackson was SAI accidentally drowned while the defenders’ casu- mine in Southern Angola French colonial troops. Africa Infantry Battalion born on this day. in the Orange River while alties amount to seventeen near the Cut-line. He was • 1903 - Colonel Arthur Al- SWATF was killed in a pri- • 1942 - Rommel begins a trying to assist three soldiers dead and ten wounded. A re- 20. fred Lynch is found guilty of vate motor vehicle accident. new offensive against the who had got into difficulties cord eleven Victoria Crosses • 1983 - Staff Sergeant Her- high treason and sentenced He was 20. Allies in North Africa, hop- while swimming. He was were awarded to the defend- manus Jacobus Petrus to death for leading the “Irish • 1982 - Private (Miss) Karen ing to push them back to the 21. ers of Rorke’s Drift. Barkhuizen from the Tech- Commando” against British Mona van Rensburg from east. • 1986 - Rifleman Joshua • 1879 - The British (no 1) nical Service Corps died in forces in the South African the Administrative Service • 1943 - Soviet forces recap- Isaac Kuvari from 102 Bat- supply column moving up 1 Military Hospital in Pre- War. The death sentence is Corps was killed in a private ture Worosjilowsk. talion SWATF was killed the North Coast towards Es- toria after suffering a fatal commuted to life imprison- motor vehicle accident in • 1945 - The Red Army de- when his Buffel Troop Car- howe is attacked by about heart attack at his Unit. He ment on 24th January 1904. Voortrekkerhoogte while on stroys the German Tan- rier overturned in Northern 5000 Zulus as they cross the was 33. • 1943 - In North Africa, Brit- official duty. She was 19. nenberg monument in East Owamboland. He was 20. Nyezane River. The attack is • 1984 - Corporal Terence ish forces under General • 1984 - Corporal Johannes Prussia. • 1988 - According to Jane’s beaten off south of Eshowe, van den Dool from 3 SAI Bernard Montgomery cap- Hendrik Roets from 4 SAI • 1954 - The USS Nautilus, Defence Weekly, Armscor, north of the Nyezane river. was Reported Missing while tured Tripoli in Libya. was Killed in Action when the world’s first nuclear the South African armaments • 1941 - The Australian 6th swimming with his friends • 1943 - Casablanca Con- his Buffel Troop Carrier det- powered submarine, was producer, is the country’s Division captures Tobruk at Hippo Pools, Ruacana. ference: FDR & Churchill onated a landmine at Techa- launched at Groton, Con- largest single exporter. Arm- from the Italians. For administrative purposes, agree on the “unconditional mutete in Southern Angola necticut. scor sales to twenty-three • 1943 - Axis forces pull out he was officially declared surrender” of the Axis. during Ops Askari. He was • 1968 - B-52 bomber with countries in 1987 amounted of Tripoli and head back to- dead in 1986. He was 19. • 1962 - Kim Philby, long- 19. nuclear weapons crashes in to R1,8-billion. wards Tunisia. • 1987 - Two members from term spy in Britain, defects • 1986 - Rifleman Deon Fran- Greenland. • 1988 - According to reports • 1943 - During World War II 1 SWA Engineer Regiment to the USSR. cis Du Toit from 3 SAI was • 1968 - Battle of Khe Sanh from Angola, the strategic in the Pacific, Japanese re- SWATF were Killed in Ac- • 1968 - The American ship killed in a military vehicle begins. town of Cuito Cuanavale is sistance ended in New Guin- tion when their Buffel Troop USS Pueblo was seized by accident. He was 19. • 1977 - Two members from 3 about to fall to an onslaught ea, resulting in the first land Carrier detonated a double North Koreans in the Sea of • 1987 - Corporal Marthinus SAI and one member from by South African and Uni- victory of the war for Allied boosted Yugoslavian TMA- Japan amid claims the Navy Petrus van Loggerenberg 13 Maintenance Unit were ta forces. The reports say forces. 3 Cheese Mine on the Epu- ship was spying. The ship from 4 SAI died from inju- killed in a military vehicle South African and Cuban • 1944 - Operation Shingle: pa Road in Southern Ango- was confiscated and its crew ries received when his Buf- accident at Tobias. They troops have clashed for the Allies land at Anzio. la. They were: Corporal Jose held in captivity until De- fel Troop Carrier overturned were: Lance Corporal Leon first time in twelve years. • 1957 - Israeli forces with- Miguel Rodrigues Carreira cember, with one fatality. in the Kabokweni Township Steyn (19). Rifleman Jaco- draw from the Sinai Penin- (20). Lance Corporal Nico- • 1971 - After a compromise near Nelspruit during an- bus Marais (19). Rifleman 22 January sula. laas Willem Barnard (20). is reached at a Common- ti-riot patrol duties. He was Ettienne Pieter van der Wes- • 1879 - Cetewayo’s impis • 1981 - Rifleman Marthinus • 2005 - Carlo Orelli, last Ital- wealth Conference, Britain 19. thuizen (20). wipe out British troops at Christoffel Barnard from ian combat veteran to have is allowed to sell weapons to • 1988 - Four members from • 1977 - Private Stephen Tre- Isandhlwana in one of the Infantry School suffered a served throughout WW I, South Africa, though Afri- vor Parvess from 1 Mainte- worst disasters in British fatal heart attack and died dies at the age of 110. can leaders oppose the step. nance Unit Collapsed and military history, stabbing at Oudtshoorn while lift- • 1981 - Rifleman Aubrey died from heat exhaustion 1272 soldiers to death. The ing weights in the Infantry 23 January John Botha from 11 Com- during Basic Training at impis of the Zulu king then School gymnasium. He was • 1900 - Battle of Spion mando Regiment died from Potchefstroom. He was 18. descend on the trading post 21. Kop: Boers defeat the Brit- gunshot wounds accidental- • 1978 - Corporal Andre van at Rorke’s Drift. About 4000 • 1983 - Leading Marine Hen- ish; Winston Chruchill & ly sustained while on special den Boogaard from the Zulus attack the fortified drik Jacobus Kemp from 111 Mohandas Gandhi are both duty at Umtata. He was 19. SADF Equestrian Centre buildings held by 130 men Harbour Protection Unit, present, but do not meet. • 1981 - Rifleman Dieter Otto was killed in a military vehi- of the 24th regiment at about South African Marine Corps • 1932 - El Salvador’s army Haase from the South West cle accident on the Venters- 4.30 p.m. At the end of the was Killed in Action when kills 4,000 protesting farm- dorp Road. He was 18, attack at about 4 a.m. ear- his Buffel Troop Carrier ers • 1983 - Lieutenant Frederick ly the next morning, more detonated a double boosted • 1935 - Abyssinian tribes- Christiaan van Zyl from 8 than 350 Zulus are killed, Yugoslavian TMA-3 Cheese men in Somaliland massacre Kim Philby 82 83 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January

54 Battalion were Killed in the Transvaal and Orange Lambert van Niekerk from itary government to edge of of Staff and customers hos- PLAN insurgents in North- Action during a fierce en- Free Sate Republics during Regiment De Wet was killed collapse. tage. In the ensuing gun bat- ern Owamboland. They gagement with a numerical- the South African War, re- instantly after being struck • 1991 - US Navy helicopters tle with Security Police, two were: Special Constable T. ly superior force of FAPLA ports that she found 2,000 by lightning during a thun- liberate Kuwaiti offshore oil civilians were killed, 5 civil- Matais (33). Special Consta- and SWAPO/PLAN troops women and children in derstorm while in the field. rigs from the Iraqis. ians were wounded and all ble K. Tjimbua (31). in South Eastern Angola. shocking circumstances in He was 25. • 1993 - Three Somalis are three MK Operatives were • 1987 - Four members from The casualties were: Corpo- the concentration camp at • 1985 - Corporal Jacobus killed and at least five are shot dead. 101 Battalion SWATF were ral Dawid Petersen (22). Ri- Bloemfontein. Petrus Hall from 1 Para- wounded in clashes with • 1981 - Rifleman Stephen Killed in Action during a fleman Joseph Brian Harker • 1915 - Battle of Dogger chute Battalion was acciden- troops of a US-led coalition Stuart Whittaker from 3 SAI fierce engagement with (25). Rifleman Phillip Daw- Bank: Royal Navy defeats tally shot dead by a fellow trying to safeguard efforts to was Reported Missing while SWAPO/PLAN and FAP- id Matroos (22). Rifleman the Germans in the North soldier who was on guard feed the country’s starving. hitch hiking back to his Unit LA forces in Southern An- Alfred Snyders (23). Sea. duty while the patrol was in in Potchefstroom. He was gola. During the attack on • 1989 - Seaman (Marine) P. • 1923 - The Italian Air Force a TB for the night North of 25 January picked up by a motorist, Mr Mongua, friendly mortar Thangavalu from the South was formed as the as the Re- Okankolo. He was 19. • 1916 - Montenegro surren- Pieter Du Plessis and they fire fell short of the target African Marines was killed gia Aerea. • 1985 - Rifleman Saul Fred- ders to Austria-Hungary. stopped at the Laingsburg and landed on their position. instantly as a result of a • 1941 - British troops invade erick de Kock from the • 1919 - At the end of the war, bridge for a travel break. They were: Sergeant Jo- gunshot wound to the head, Italian East Africa. South African Cape Corps the Paris Peace Conference Unfortunately, it was that han Martin (35) Corporal H accidentally self-inflicted • 1961 - A B-52 breaks was killed when his Buffel accepts the proposal to cre- time when the river came Alugodhi (24). Rifleman W shortly after he returned to up over the North Carolina Troop Carrier overturned ate the League of Nations. down in flood and they were Shitongeni (26). Rifleman G the Marine Base at Wenela coast, losing two H-bombs, during a follow-up opera- The League was eventually both washed away. Their Shilulu (23). after completing a Patrol. one of which is still missing. tion against SWAPO/PLAN established by Part I of the bodies were never located • 1987 - Sapper T. Seibib from He was 19. • 1964 - British troops are insurgents in Southern An- Treaty of Versailles, which and they remain unaccount- 1 South West Africa Engi- • 1991 - Rifleman Fanie Johan flown in to Uganda to sup- gola. He was 26. was signed on 28 June 1919. ed for. For administrative, neer Regiment was Killed Jeneke from the South Afri- press an army mutiny over • 1985 - Rifleman J.H. Fil- • 1940 - Nazis decree the es- both men were officially de- in Action in a Landmine ex- can Cape Corps was killed low pay. lipus from 202 Battalion tablishment of a Jewish clared dead by Judge C.F.W. plosion in the Kaokoveld. when his Buffel Troop Carri- • 1965 - Winston Spencer SWATF was Killed in Ac- ghetto in Lodz Poland. van Zyl on 03 June 1981. He He was 24. er overturned at Scottburgh. Churchill, British Prime tion during a contact with • 1943 - Guadalcanal: Japa- was 18. • 1988 - Airman John Hen- He was 18. Minister during World War SWAPO/PLAN Insurgents. nese in full retreat, closely • 1981 - Lance Corporal Pat- dri Flemming from the Air II, dies at the age of 88. He was 22. pursued by U.S. forces. rick Louis Walsh from the Force Gymnasium collapsed 24 January • 1978 - Private Cornelius • 1987 - Rifleman William • 1945 - Audie Murphy earns Air Force Gymnasium was and died after experiencing • 1891 - Capain. Kurt von Jacobus Borchardt from Viljoen from 8 SAI was ac- the Medal of Honour. killed instantly when he was respiratory and heart fail- Francois arrives as leader of the Administrative Service cidentally killed when his • 1951 - UN begins counter struck by a bullet result- a small German regiment in Corps was killed in a mili- Buffel Troop Carrier over- offensive in Korea. ing from an accidental dis- South West Africa to sup- tary vehicle accident, at Ot- turned after losing a front • 1961 - Military coup in El charge of a fellow soldiers press the Herero rebellion. jiwarongo. He was 23. wheel 3km South of On- Salvador. rifle during musketry train- • 1891 - Walter Model, Ger- • 1979 - Rifleman Gerald dangwa. He was thrown out • 1971 - General Idi Amin ing at Haakdoringlaagte. He man Field Marshal, is born Wayne Williams from 6 SAI of the vehicle which then Dada takes power in Ugan- was 20. on this day. accidentally drowned dur- rolled over him. He was 20. da by military coup while • 1983 - Two members from • 1900 - The British, under ing a training exercise at the • 1988 - Sergeant Ockert the existing president, Mil- the South West Africa Police General Warren, surrenders Base. He was 22. Barendse from the School ton Obote, is at a Common- Counter-Insurgency Wing: to General Botha at Spioen- • 1981 - Trooper Eugene Mar- of Artillery accidentally wealth meeting in Singa- Ops-K Division (Koevoet) kop. At least 1,000 British go Nel from 4 Vehicle Re- drowned in Potchefstroom. pore. were Killed in Action dur- and sixty Boer soldiers die serve Park was killed when He was 28. • 1980 - Three MK operatives ing a Contact with SWAPO/ in this battle. his Buffel Troop Carrier • 1986 - Guerrillas advance entered the Volkskas Bank • 1901 - Emily Hobhouse, overturned at Kroonstad. He into Ugandan capital of in Silverton (Silverton Bank English nurse who visited was 19. Kampala as army opposi- Siege) and took 25 members • 1984 - Corporal Dawid tion crumbles, pushing mil- Winston Churchill 84 85 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January

ure during physical training • 1952 - Egypt is placed un- naval officer, commanding Force conducted the first stepping on an enemy An- • 1871 - The British forces exercises at the Air Force der martial law in response Simon’s Town dockyard, all-American bombing raid ti-Personnel Mine while on are defeated and 83 British Gymnasium. He was 18. to wide-spread riots against Commodore Dieter Ger- on Germany as 55 bombers Patrol in Southern Angola. soldiers under Sir George the British. hardt and his wife, have targeted Wilhelmshaven, He was 19. Colley are killed and 111 26 January • 1977 - Rifleman Sabino Lu- been detained for question- losing three planes while • 1984 - Special Constable wounded in the battle of • 1880 - General Douglas ciano from 32 Battalion was ing in connection with al- claiming to have shot down Paulino Kangombe from the Laings Nek in the An- MacArthur was born on this killed in a shooting incident leged espionage. 22 German fighters. The South West Africa Police glo-Transvaal War, caused day. in the residential camp at • 1986 - Two Members from 5 success of this first mission Counter-Insurgency Wing: by the refusal of the Trans- • 1885 - The Mahdist forces Buffalo. He was 25. SAI were killed when their encouraged U.S. military Ops-K Division (Koevoet) vaal Boers to submit to Brit- take Khartoum in Sudan af- • 1977 - Rifleman Isak Nel Buffel Troop Carrier over- planners to begin regular was Killed in Action dur- ish authority as proclaimed ter a nine-month siege and Myburgh from 6 SAI Died turned in wet weather near daylight bombing raids, ing a contact with SWAPO/ by Shepstone in 1877. slaughter most inhabitants of Wounds received in Nkurenkuru. The casualties which eventually resulted PLAN insurgents in North- • 1885 - British relief force and the British garrison, in- Northern Owamboland. He were: Corporal Jan Daniel in high casualty rates for ern Owamboland. He was reaches Khartoum, and the cluding General Gordon. was 19. Schmidt (23). Rifleman Jo- the American crewmen in- 32. Sudan is evacuated. • 1901 - General Christiaan de • 1978 - Rifleman Petrus hannes Gerhardus Janse van volved. • 1991 - President Mohamed • 1916 - German colony of Wet, accompanied by Presi- Wilhelmus Prinsloo from Rensburg (18). • 1944 - Russian Army Gen- Siad Barre of Somalia flees Cameroon surrenders to dent M.T. Steyn, starts his Middelburg Commando ac- • 1986 - The National Resist- eral Govorov announced the the capital, Mogadishu, as Britain & France. journey at Doornberg, near cidentally drowned in the ance Army takes over the lifting of the Nazi blockade a coalition of rebels seize • 1932 - Japanese capture Winburg, to invade the Cape Assegai River at Amster- Ugandan capital of Kampa- of Leningrad. During the power. The country plunges Shanghai. Colony for the second time. dam. He was 20. la. 900-day siege, an estimated into virtual anarchy. • 1942 - Five power stations • 1902 - General Ben Vil- • 1980 - 2nd Lieutenant Jo- • 1991 - Rebels overrun the one million Russian civil- • 1996 - Niger’s first demo- are blown up by pro-Axis joen and seven men are am- hannes Lodewicus Buys Somalian capital of Moga- ians inside the city died of cratically elected president, saboteurs in an attempt to bushed and captured by the from 6 Light Anti-Aircraft dishu. disease, starvation and re- Mahamane Ousmane, is destabilise the Rand gold British. His pocket book Regiment was killed in a • 1992 - Russia announces it lentless German shelling. ousted in a coup and army mines. saves his life by warding off Military Vehicle accident will no longer target US cit- • 1944 - U.S. issues a report on Colonel Barre Mainassara • 1942 - German troops cap- a bullet and preventing it to near Grootfontein. He was ies with nuclear weapons. “The Bataan Death March”. Ibrahim takes over as head ture Benghazi, Libya. strike his chest. 22. • 1994 - Romania became the • 1945 - The Russian Army of state. • 1944 - RAF puts 683 bomb- • 1934 - Nazi Germany and • 1980 - Rifleman Hendrik first former Cold War foe to liberated Auschwitz death • 2002 - Munitions at an ers over Berlin. Poland sign ten year non-ag- Christoffel Janse van Rens- join the North Atlantic Trea- camp near Krakow in Po- army base in Lagos, Nige- • 1970 - Cairo suburbs are at- gression pact. burg from SWA SPES was ty Organization (NATO) land, where the Nazis had ria’s commercial capital, tacked by Israeli jet fighters. • 1939 - Franco’s Spanish accidentally shot dead dur- following the collapse of the systematically murdered an explode, sending fireballs • 1976 - Rifleman Chris Kru- Nationalists capture Barce- ing the night at their TB by a Soviet Union. estimated 2,000,000 per- and shrapnel into the air and ger Moorcroft from 1 Par- lona. guard who mistook him for sons, including 1,500,000 forcing hundreds of area achute Battalion died from • 1943 - Nazis began using a SWAPO/PLAN insurgent. 27 January Jews. residents to flee. As many as Hitler Youths to operate an- He was 18. • 1859 - German Kaiser Wil- • 1967 - Treaty signed ban- 600 people drown in a ca- ti-aircraft batteries in Ger- • 1981 - Lance Corporal Jaco- helm II was born on this day. ning military use of nuclear nal that blocked their way to many following heavy Al- bus Adriaan Smuts Louw • 1915 - US Marines begin weapons in space. safety. lied bombing of Berlin and from 1 SAI was killed in- occupation of Haiti. • 1973 - U.S. involvement other cities. stantly when he detonated a • 1943 - SA prime minister, in the Vietnam War ended 28 January • 1950 - India becomes a re- booby-trapped Yugoslavian General Jan Smuts, asks par- as North Vietnamese and • 1871 - The Franco-Prussian public within the British TMA-3 Cheese Mine while liament’s approval to send American representatives War ended as Paris surren- Commonwealth, converts returning from a patrol on troops to Europe, contrary signed an agreement in Par- dered to the Germans after a the Victoria Cross to the Par- the Cut-line. He was 19. to his promise in 1939 that is. four month siege. am Vir Chakra, 14 of the 21 • 1983 - At a special press SA troops would only fight • 1984 - Corporal Johannes of which awards have been conference it is announced in Africa. Adam De Beer from 8 SAI posthumous. that a senior South African • 1943 - The U.S. 8th Air was Killed in Action after Jan Smuts 86 87 This month in military history ... January This month in military history ... January

bronchial pneumonia and The casualties were: Rifle- was killed at Katima Muli- • 1930 - Magnus André De palace. • 1983 - Rifleman R.R. Ku- renal failure in 3 Military man William Robert Daw- lo when he was run over Merindol Malan, former • 1972 - In Londonderry, funa from 202 Battalion Hospital, Bloemfontein. He son (20). Rifleman Alexan- by a private civilian vehi- Chief of the SADF and SA Northern Ireland, 13 Ro- SWATF was Killed in Ac- was 20. der Forbes (19). cle while manning a control Minister of Defence, is born man Catholics were killed tion during a contact with • 1977 - Sergeant Abraham • 1983 - Private Peter Alan check point. He was 22. in Pretoria on this day. by British troops during a SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. Jacobus Smith from 32 Bat- Beard from the South Afri- • 1987 - Private Charel An- • 1933 - Adolf Hitler was ap- banned civil rights march. He was 23. talion died from injuries re- can Medical Corps Head- dries Fourie from 5 Main- pointed Chancellor of Ger- The event became known as • 1992 - Argentina allowed ceived when a private Piper quarters was killed in a tenance Unit was killed in a many by President Paul von Bloody Sunday. access to numerous files of PA28 Cherokee aircraft in Military Vehicle accident at military vehicle accident at Hindenburg. • 1981 - Twenty-four peo- Nazis who had fled to South which he was travelling as a Mooi River. He was 19. Ogongo. He was 22. • 1939 - Hitler calls for the ple are killed in Operation America from Germany af- passenger, crashed at Groot- • 1985 - Sergeant Willem Jo- • 1987 - Three members of extermination of the Jews. Beanbag, an attack by the ter World War II, thus aiding fontein. He was 34. han Gouws from Air Force the South West Africa Police • 1943 - Hitler promotes Frie- South African army on the the hunt for Nazi war crim- • 1978 - Rifleman Domingos Base Hoedspruit was killed Counter-Insurgency Wing: drich Paulus, commanding ANC and PAC in Matola, inals. Augusto from 32 Battalion in a Military Vehicle Acci- Ops-K (Koevoet) were the Sixth Army, surround- a suburb of Maputo, Mo- was killed instantly from a dent at Pilgrims Rest. He killed in a military vehicle ed at Stalingrad, to field zambique. A Portuguese 31 January gunshot wound accidentally was 40. accident in Northern Owam- marshal, with a hint that he engineer, Jose Ramos, is • 1901 - Generals Smuts and self-inflicted during oper- • 1993 - Troops in Zaire run boland. They were: Special should commit suicide. “mistakenly identified” as Liebenberg captures Mod- ations in Southern Angola. riot, killing the French Am- Sergeant Tulengepo Lunga- • 1945 - Danzig: Soviet sub Joe Slovo, one of the raid’s derfontein, Transvaal. He was 35. bassador. meni (36). Special Sergeant sinks German ship ‘Wilhelm main targets, by the South • 1915 - Battle of Bolimów: • 1978 - Corporal Manuel An- Petrus Pius (35). Constable Gustloff’. More than 7,700 African forces and is shot at The Germans stage the first tonio Infante Ganhão from 29 January Willem Christiaan Scheep- die, making it the worst loss a roadblock. Numbers killed major poison gas attack, but 1 Reconnaissance Regiment • 1915 - Erwin Rommel ers (24). of life in a single sinking in vary. Some sources state that the Russians hold. was Killed in Action during is awarded the Iron Cross, • 1991 - Battle of Khafji, Sau- history. twelve were killed and three • 1917 - Germany notifies the an engagement with FRELI- First Class, for action in the di Arabia: Iraqis capture the • 1952 - Martial law is im- abducted. US that it will resume unre- MO Troops at a railway sid- Argonne. town. posed in Egypt as King Fa- • 1981 - Two members of 6 stricted submarine warfare. ing south of Mapai in Gaza • 1916 - During World War I, • 1993 - French marines land rouk dismisses the premier Reconnaissance Regiment • 1943 - German troops sur- Province, Moçambique dur- the first aerial bombings of in Kinshasa, Zaire, to free Nahas Pasha and his Wafdist were Killed in Action and rendered at Stalingrad, ing Operation Melon (SADF Paris by German Zeppelins French nationals confined to government. one Reported Missing dur- marking the first big defeat Name Operation Acrobat). took place. the embassy. • 1964 - Two members from ing a Special Forces Raid of Hitler’s armies in World He was 28. • 1943 - HMNZS ‘Kiwi’ rams • 1996 - Two serving mem- 5 SAI accidentally drowned on the African National War II. During the Battle • 1982 - Rifleman Jacobus & sinks Japanese sub ‘I-1’ bers of the army and a third in a boating accident at La- Congress Headquarters in of Stalingrad, 160,000 Ger- Frederick De Beer from 61 off Guadalcanal. man are arrested in con- dysmith. They were: Ri- Maputo, Moçambique dur- Base Workshops was criti- • 1944 - Heavy Luftwaffe raid nection with the attack on fleman Johannes Frederick ing Operation Bean Bag. cally injured on 25 January on London. St James’s Church in Cape Kies (19). Rifleman Cor- They were: Sergeant Robert 1982 when he accidentally • 1979 - Rifleman Gary James Town in July 1993. nelius Marthinus Du Plooy Louis Hutchinson (24). Ser- fell off the back of a mov- Rautenbach from 6 SAI (19). geant Ian Suttill (22). Lance ing military vehicle. He was Died of Wounds after being 30 January • 1964 - Military coup Corporal James King Park evacuated to 1 Military Hos- critically injured in a land- • 1882 - Franklin Delano Roo- by Gen Nguyen Khanh in (21). The body of Sergeant pital where he succumbed to mine explosion at Endobe sevelt was born on this day. South-Vietnam. Robert Louis Hutchinson his injuries on 28 January on the 20 Jan 1979. He suc- • 1902 - Anglo-Japanese alli- • 1968 - Beginning of the Tet was never recovered. He has 1982. He was 18. cumbed to his wounds in 1 ance formed. Offensive in Vietnam as known grave and remains • 1982 - Two members from Military Hospital on 29 Jan- • 1911 - The Royal Canadian North Vietnamese troops at- unaccounted for. 5 SAI were Killed in Action uary 1979. He was 20. Navy was founded on this tacked 36 provincial capitals near Elundu when their pa- • 1982 - Rifleman George day. and 5 major cities in South trol was ambushed by nu- Edmond Jacobson from • 1915 - German submarine Vietnam, including an at- merically superior force of the Kimberley Regiment attack on Le Havre. tack on the U.S. Embassy in SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. Saigon and the presidential Adolf Hitler 88 89 This month in military history ... January quiz

mans were killed and 90,000 ange Free State Command • 1986 - Commandant Mar- taken prisoner, including the Headquarters was killed chall Aubrey Joseph Facer General Knowledge commander, Friedrich von while on duty in Voortrek- from the Highveld Air Space 1. The Crimean War. 13. Zanzibar. They declared war Paulus, the first German kerhoogte, Pretoria when Control Sector at Devon was 2. It was the last battle between on Britain and then surren- field marshal ever to surren- she was accidentally run killed in a private motor ve- oar-powered galleys. dered 38 minutes later. der. The captured Germans over by a police vehicle. She hicle accident at Delmas. He 3. Agent Orange. 14. The 332nd Fighter Group 14 were forced to march to Si- was 50. was 39. 4. El Salvador and Honduras. (The Tuskegee Airmen). beria, with few ever return- • 1985 - Sergeant Willem van • 1987 - Corporal Charles 5. General Rudolph Hiemstra. 15. Cpl Pieter Arnoldus Swane- ing to Germany. As from the South West John Oram from 5 Recon- 6. Brixton Ridge in Johannes- poel HCS, 2 SAI, 11 No- • 1945 - Eddie Slovik, a 24 Africa Police Counter-In- naissance Regiment was burg. It was during the Rand vember 1975. year-old U.S. Army private, surgency Wing: Ops-K killed in a private motor Rebellion in 1922. 16. It has a safety catch. was executed by a firing (Koevoet) was Killed in Ac- vehicle Accident between 7. Frantam. 17. It was the largest tank battle squad after being sentenced tion during a contact with Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit. 8. Spetsnaz. ever. to death for desertion, the SWAPO/PLAN insurgents He was 26. 9. The Panther. 18. Glenn Miller. first such occurrence in the in Northern Owamboland. • 1994 - In Mogadishu, US 10. Andy McNab. 19. Government Issue. U.S. Army since the Civil He was 27. Marines in a convoy car- 11. Max Schmeling. 20. Swift and sure. War. • 1985 - Rifleman K.E. rying American diplomats 12. It was 5 Reconnaissance 21. General Sir Bernard Law • 1972 - Military coup ousts Mbambo from 202 Battal- open fire near a crowded Commando. They only be- Montgomery. 24. American actress Jane Fon- civilian government of ion SWATF was Killed in food distribution centre. At came 5 Reconnaissance 22. Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, da. She visited Hanoi in sup- Ghana. Action during a contact with least five Somalis are killed Regiment after they moved and Sword. port of North Vietnam. • 1982 - Sergeant (Mrs) Eliz- SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. and many wounded. to Phalaborwa. 23. Paul Tibbets. 25. The Maquis. abeth Mostert from the Or- He was 22. Useful links Every month we will be featuring a few useful links to military websites, newsletters and on- line magazines. Stuff that we think our readers will appreciate. Here are two of our favourites. The first one is Nongqai, the unofficial police newsletter for veterans of the former South African Police Force and for those interested in Police History. The second is Jimmy’s Own, the official newsletter of the South African Signals Association. Click on the magazine covers to go to the respective websites.

The execution of Private Eddie Slovik.

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